Chef awarded $32,000 after employer's visa threats

An Employment Relations Authority ruling has ordered payment of more than $32,000 in wage arrears to a head chef whose employer warned his work visa could be cancelled.

Reviewed by Rakai 3 July 2026

A head chef has received more than $32,000 in employment arrears after the Employment Relations Authority ruled on a case where the employer threatened visa cancellation.

The employer warned the chef his work visa could be cancelled, threats that left the chef feeling powerless to protest.

The ERA awarded the full amount in wage arrears to the chef.