Autopride Cars Limited, an Upper Hutt car company, was convicted and fined in May 2023 for exploiting two migrant workers through low cash pay, irregular wages, and false visa promises, according to official rulings from the Hutt Valley District Court.
Autopride Cars Limited Fined $100,000 for Migrant Worker Exploitation
The case centers on two migrant workers who arrived in New Zealand on visitor visas before being recruited by Autopride Cars Limited. Investigators found that both employees endured long hours for cash wages without employment agreements, tax registration, or basic worker protections. Each individual worked at least six days a week, typically logging around nine hours a day for $100 cash per day. This amounted to an effective hourly rate of about $11, sitting well below the legal minimum wage at the time.
Pay was irregular and had to be repeatedly requested so the workers could afford basic food and personal items. Company managers repeatedly promised to arrange work visas, collected documents from the workers, and assured them that applications were underway. Investigators confirmed that no visas were ever lodged or processed, and the workers were instead pressured to keep working despite their unlawful status.
Immigration Status Used to Control and Silence Workers
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) national manager for investigations Jason Perry stated that the company used the workers’ immigration status to “control them and keep them silent.” During a compliance visit by Immigration New Zealand officers, one worker was explicitly instructed to hide and pressured not to speak to authorities. Meanwhile, the second worker felt unable to leave the job due to intense management pressure and deep concern for a family member who was also employed by the firm.
Following the court proceedings at the Hutt Valley District Court, Autopride Cars Limited received a $100,000 fine and was ordered to pay a total reparation of $70,654.06 directly to the victims. In addition, the company’s employer accreditation was revoked, stripping them of the ability to employ migrants under the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme in the future.
Regulatory Enforcement and Future Implications
“This case shows how migrant exploitation works in real life, with people being kept quiet through fear and pressure,” Perry said regarding the investigation. “Exploiting migrants isn’t ‘doing business’. It’s criminal behaviour, and we will pursue it to hold those responsible to account.”
With their accreditation revoked, Autopride Cars Limited could face severe operational limitations regarding their workforce moving forward.
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