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Labour Inspectorate Fines Horticulture Firm $40K Over Wage Violations

5/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Labour Inspectorate fined Gautam and Hariom Horticulture Ltd over $40,000 and ordered $5,000 for each affected worker plus an extra $5,000 premium.
The probe, prompted by two complaints, uncovered twelve breaches of employment Acts and $8,203 in arrears for five staff paid below minimum wage and denied leave.
Inspector Kevin Finnegan said the penalty aims to deter exploitation in the kiwifruit horticulture sector after Operation Indigo inspected 21 companies.

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Story summary

The Labour Inspectorate fined Gautam and Hariom Horticulture Ltd over $40,000 and ordered $5,000 for each affected worker plus an extra $5,000 premium.
The probe, prompted by two complaints, uncovered twelve breaches of employment Acts and $8,203 in arrears for five staff paid below minimum wage and denied leave.
Inspector Kevin Finnegan said the penalty aims to deter exploitation in the kiwifruit horticulture sector after Operation Indigo inspected 21 companies.