Labour Inspectorate, supported by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) have launched a targeted crackdown on non-compliance in beauty industry across several regions, including Waikato.
Under Operation Antic, compliance and enforcement teams from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) are making proactive, unannounced site visits focusing on nail salons and massage businesses in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki, Wairarapa and Wellington regions. Visits will continue over the coming months.
This MBIE initiative is currently spread across the central North Island in response to growing concerns about employment practices and non-compliance in the beauty industry.
The operation, which aims to protect vulnerable workers, particularly migrants, and ensure businesses are meeting minimum employment standards and immigration requirements, is being led by the Labour Inspectorate, supported by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
During Operation Antic the Labour Inspectorate is assessing compliance with employment obligations such as employment agreements, record-keeping, lawful deductions, and minimum entitlements.
During last month (October), the MBIE teams visited nail salons and other beauty sector businesses in the Wellington CBD and in the Hutt Valley, with some businesses in the Bay of Plenty having been visited earlier in the operation.
“The beauty sector has seen a rise in complaints and referrals, especially in the Waikato and Wellington areas,” said Margaret Meafua, Labour Inspectorate Compliance Manager for the Central region.
“We’re taking a proactive, intelligence-led approach to disrupt non-compliant practices and support businesses in doing the right thing.”
Meafua said intelligence gathered during the operation will help MBIE build a clearer picture of compliance levels across the sector and inform future regulatory action.
“We expect that most businesses are doing or want to do the right thing but there are some concerns about possible links between some beauty industry businesses and organised criminal activity, including money laundering. Operation Antic is part of ongoing efforts by MBIE to support the disruption of organised criminality and serious non-compliance and prevent harm.
Where breaches are identified, a range of enforcement tools may be used, including infringement and improvement notices, enforceable undertakings, and penalties through the Employment Relations Authority. Education and support will also be provided to help businesses understand their obligations.
MBIE encourages anyone who thinks they or someone else has been treated unfairly in the workplace to contact our 0800 20 90 20 contact centre number where their concerns will be handled in a safe environment.
