An Indian in New Zealand, holding a permanent residency card, Gaurav Batra, has been fined $13,000 and ordered to repay $27,660 to two migrant workers for immigration and employment breaches. The Hamilton District Court delivered the sentencing on Monday, August 18, 2025, after Batra pleaded guilty to two offences.
The case involved two migrants hired for Hamilton kebab shops run by GSK Company Limited but later directed to perform cleaning work across multiple sites, duties not covered by their visas. Authorities found that Batra, who oversaw hiring, rostering, wage payments, and record-keeping for GSK, underpaid the workers and misrepresented their employment roles over a period of nearly two years.
One worker was owed more than $16,100, while the other was owed over $11,550 in unpaid wages, holiday pay, and entitlements. The arrears were repaid before the court appearance.
“These individuals came to New Zealand seeking fair employment,” said Jason Perry, National Manager Investigations. “Instead, they were placed in roles that did not align with their visa conditions and were not paid in accordance with minimum employment standards.”
Perry said the offending was deliberate and sustained. “This wasn’t a one-off mistake. It was a sustained pattern of behaviour over nearly two years, hiring workers for one job, then directing them to do another, all while underpaying them and making them work excessive hours.”
He added, “That’s not just a number, that’s costs for daily living — rent and food, lost.”
Authorities said the sentencing underscores the importance of compliance with immigration and employment rules. “Employers who breach these laws and fail to meet their obligations will be held to account for the harm they cause to individuals who come to New Zealand seeking fair work opportunities,” Perry said.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said it will continue to enforce immigration and labour laws to prevent migrant exploitation.
The case involved two migrants hired for Hamilton kebab shops run by GSK Company Limited but later directed to perform cleaning work across multiple sites, duties not covered by their visas. Authorities found that Batra, who oversaw hiring, rostering, wage payments, and record-keeping for GSK, underpaid the workers and misrepresented their employment roles over a period of nearly two years.
One worker was owed more than $16,100, while the other was owed over $11,550 in unpaid wages, holiday pay, and entitlements. The arrears were repaid before the court appearance.
“These individuals came to New Zealand seeking fair employment,” said Jason Perry, National Manager Investigations. “Instead, they were placed in roles that did not align with their visa conditions and were not paid in accordance with minimum employment standards.”
Perry said the offending was deliberate and sustained. “This wasn’t a one-off mistake. It was a sustained pattern of behaviour over nearly two years, hiring workers for one job, then directing them to do another, all while underpaying them and making them work excessive hours.”
He added, “That’s not just a number, that’s costs for daily living — rent and food, lost.”
Authorities said the sentencing underscores the importance of compliance with immigration and employment rules. “Employers who breach these laws and fail to meet their obligations will be held to account for the harm they cause to individuals who come to New Zealand seeking fair work opportunities,” Perry said.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said it will continue to enforce immigration and labour laws to prevent migrant exploitation.
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