A Japanese restaurant has been fined $6000 for failing to keep employment records.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) investigated Hikari Japanese Restaurant in Queenstown, which was operated by Yong's Food Company.
MBIE, which took the case to the Employment Relations Authority, found the restaurant, which mainly employs migrant workers and has a high turnover rate, did not keep complete time, holiday and leave records for employees, Labour Inspectorate's southern regional manager Stuart Lumsden said.
"Without accurate employment records it's impossible for the employer to show they are providing workers with their minimum entitlements like minimum wage and holiday pay."
The ERA said the employer had argued he wasn't aware of these requirements because English was not his first language, but Mr Lumsden said this was no excuse.
