Immigration and employment officials have swooped on a Whangarei bakery, removing four Thais allegedly working without permits.
The Department of Labour's Employment Relations Service visited the Maunu Hot Bread Shop last week, along with Immigration Service officials, who issued removal orders to two men and two women employed there.
Labour inspectorate manager
Chris Tracey today confirmed an investigation into the workers' conditions of employment was underway.
She would not specify what the concerns were, describing the matter as "delicate".
"We received word that there was a situation that we should look at. We did look at it and we're currently doing an investigation. We're very interested in making sure our investigation goes well and is done fairly."
No decision had yet been made about whether to prosecute, she said.
Bakery owner Sue Zxong today said the four had come from Auckland about two weeks ago and needed jobs to pay back a loan.
"They needed work. I needed workers," she said.
The shop had been advertising locally for new staff, but had had no response, she said.
The four Thais had lived with her family and been paid for their work, Mrs Zxong said.
Asked specifically what they were being paid, Mrs Zxong said: "A fair wage."
Immigration spokesman Ian Smith said by law it was the responsibility of work permitholders to renew their permits or leave the country by the time the permits expired.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE
