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Source: Reuters -
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The wine industry is confident cases of operators underpaying their staff are not widespread.
Blenheim company New Zealand Vines has been told to make top-up payments to workers who complained to the Department of Labour. Some were paid a piece rate, equivalent to just $2 an hour.
Gerald Hope from Wine Marlborough says the practice of paying below the minimum wage has largely been stamped out but he admits there is a risk of this kind of practice during tough economic conditions.
Hope says there is a temptation for growers to take the best price, meaning the worker on the ground may not be properly paid.
Hope says although he supports compulsory registration of contractors, he recognises everyone has a right to start up a business. He believes most rogue operators have been stamped out in the Marlborough region.
