Hamilton business owner gets home detention for exploiting migrant workers

A Hamilton woman who exploited migrant workers and failed to pay tens of thousands of dollars in wages has been sentenced to 11 months’ home detention.

Sneha Patel, who owned and operated several businesses in Hamilton and Auckland, pleaded guilty to nine charges last year, including exploiting unlawful and temporary workers. The court has also ordered her to pay nearly $50,000 in reparation to three victims.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said the case followed a lengthy and complex five-year investigation. Authorities found Patel failed to pay about $41,000 in minimum wages and a further $9,000 in holiday pay and other entitlements during an eight-month period in 2018.

MBIE said Patel knowingly employed a person who was unlawfully in New Zealand, assisted them to remain in the country, and deliberately mistreated and misled her staff. Investigators also found she supplied false or misleading information to Immigration New Zealand in support of a visa application.

The workers were made to work excessive hours, with one forced to sleep in a work vehicle or on the floor of a storeroom. In some cases, Patel paid nothing at all, or paid well below the legal minimum.

MBIE immigration investigations national manager Jason Perry said Patel continued expanding her business interests while denying workers their lawful entitlements, warning that employers who exploit vulnerable workers will be pursued and held accountable.