Domino’s Pukekohe and Pōkeno banned from hiring migrant workers after visa breach

A Domino’s franchise has been banned from hiring new migrant workers for a year after a significant visa breach involving an employee.

The ban was issued after an employee was found to be working in Waikato despite their visa conditions only allowing them to work in Auckland.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said GBN Trading LTD, trading as Domino’s Pukekohe and Domino’s Pōkeno, were issued the ban.

GBN Trading has also been ordered to pay $4500, which is made up of a $3000 fine and prosecution costs of $1500 in relation to the breach.

MBIE said the penalty came after GBN Trading challenged an infringement notice for employing a worker in a way that breached their work visa through the courts.

MBIE national manager for investigations Jason Perry said the employee’s visa conditions allowed them to do administration work in Auckland at Domino’s Pukekohe, but they were found to be working at Domino’s Pōkeno in Waikato.

“The employer knowingly employed someone in a way that did not meet the conditions specified on their work visa, and now they must face the consequences,” Perry said.

He said the immigration infringement scheme had been in place for two years and more than 300 infringement notices had been issued, totalling $1 million in penalties.

“This shows that immigration breaches are taken seriously. Employers must follow their obligations, and if they don’t, our immigration infringement scheme has proven to be an effective tool in holding them to account,” Perry said.

MBIE said more serious breaches may result in criminal charges.

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