Can you imagine paying over $100,000 just to get a job — and then being told you were never really an employee?

That’s exactly what happened to one highly skilled chef who came to New Zealand in search of a better life for his family.

He was promised a job. A work visa. A chance for his child to access quality education.

But the opportunity came with a six-figure “premium” — a price he was told was “just how things are done here.”

What followed was long hours, low pay, no records, and eventually a shocking claim:
“You’re not a worker. You’re a shareholder!”

This case —decided in May 2024, by New Zealand’s Employment Relations Authority (ERA) — highlights serious breaches of employment standards, and shows what happens when a migrant worker finally says “enough.”

What You’ll Learn in This Video

In this case breakdown, I explain:

• What “premium for employment” means — and why it’s illegal
• How some employers use fake shareholder arrangements to dodge employment law
• The red flags every migrant worker should watch for
• What the ERA found — and why it matters
• What you can do if you’re in a similar situation

Watch the video breakdown here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcBfT4lm0wA

Know Your Rights in New Zealand Employment Law

Whether you’re:

• A migrant worker navigating the visa system
• A business owner trying to do things by the book
• Or someone who’s heard of cash-for-job arrangements happening quietly…

This story has lessons for all of us.

Read the Full ERA Decision: https://determinations.era.govt.nz/determination/view/19564

Need Advice or Support?

If you’re in a similar situation, don’t wait.

Contact the Labour Inspectorate (linked in the video description): https://www.employment.govt.nz/resolving-problems/how-to-resolve-problems/labour-inspectorate-complaints

Or Work With Me: https://offrecord.co.nz/book/