Retail and hospitality businesses in New Zealand can expect unannounced visits from authorities to check their compliance with minimum employment standards.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Labour Inspectorate has started the operation, visiting 13 retail and hospitality businesses in Hamilton on January 30.

“The Hamilton operation, dubbed Operation Atoll, was the first phase of an ongoing long-term initiative throughout the central North Island focusing on the retail and hospitality sector,” said Simon Humphries, head of the Labour Inspectorate.

An Immigration New Zealand team supported the group of 10 inspectors to verify the conditions of accredited employers, provide education on visa and accreditation requirements and check for any potential migrant exploitation.

“Our team will be conducting compliance visits to selected retail and hospitality businesses in Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui, Taranaki and Wellington,” said Humphries.

The inspectors saw positive signs of employers complying with their minimum employment obligations or wanting to be compliant.

There were others who needed to improve their employment practices, such as apparent issues with record keeping.

“At this stage, the checks are ongoing, and we will not be providing any updates until such time as all the information collected has been assessed,” said Humphries.