Joti Jain, one of the bosses of Masala Indian restaurant chain has left New Zealand before her appeal against deportation over immigration fraud and worker exploitation came up for hearing. Some of the workers were paid as little as $3 an hour.
Her appeal against deportation was to come up for hearing at the Immigration and Protection Tribunal this week.
Joti Jain pleaded guilty to charges of visa fraud and exploiting workers at Masala restaurants in Auckland, and was sentenced to 11 months of home detention and community work and $58,000 in reparations in October 2015. Another manager at the restaurant chain, Rajwinder Grewal was sentenced on Immigration and exploitation related charges.
An Immigration New Zealand spokesperson said Joti Jain was banned from returning to New Zealand.
Liquidator Damien Grant said because Masala evaded paying taxes, they were able to sell “exceptionally cheap” food that others couldn’t match.
"I don't think it's a loss to New Zealand if she's gone and I think she's done the taxpayer a massive favour by leaving of her own accord,” he said.
In February this year, Auckland High Court approved a deal that saw Masala forfeit properties worth $8 million in a settlement with the government, saying it reduced the “ability of those associated with the criminal activity to continue with that criminal enterprise”.
Their victims, four Indian and Indian-Fijian nationals were promised visas in exchange for their work at the restaurant. Some of the workers told the court they were working 11 hours a day, six days a week.
Gagandeep Singh, a worker at the restaurant, the court documents recorded, was paid $250 a week.
Another waitress, Robin was paid $201 a week for working an 11-hour shift six days a week, which works out roughly $3 an hour.
