Three people involved in the management of an Auckland restaurant chain have been arrested at their homes in the city this morning and charged with offences relating to the exploitation of migrant workers.
The charges follow an investigation by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) into allegations of exploitation of migrant workers in the restaurant industry, a statement from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said.
The three people, who have been given name suppression, have been bailed to appear in the Auckland District Court next Wednesday.
One of the defendants faces a total of 14 charges, including exploitation and conspiracy charges relating to three migrant workers, aiding and abetting a person to remain unlawfully in New Zealand and supplying false and misleading information to an immigration officer, the statement said.
Another faces five charges, including exploitation charges relating to two workers and aiding and abetting two workers to either breach their visa conditions, or remain in New Zealand unlawfully.
