Migrant exploitation ringleader sentenced for exploiting kiwifruit workers
Monday, 8 July 2024
Workers of Jafar Kurisi, aka Ali or Tauranga Ali, had to sleep on the ground in a garage and were paid between $12-15 an hour.
They worked when they didn’t have appropriate visas.
He has now been sentenced to 12 months’ home detention and ordered to pay $80k to his victims.
A migrant exploitation ringleader has dodged prison and instead been sentenced to 12 months’ home detention and ordered to pay $80,000 to his victims.
Jafar Kurisi, aka Ali or Tauranga Ali, 60, was charged in late 2020 following a string of past complaints about mistreatment of migrant workers in the kiwifruit/horticultural industry.
Five homes in the Tauranga area were searched and investigators spoke to 27 people from Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Bangladesh, about their immigration and employment in New Zealand.
Kurisi was unlawfully employing migrants on visitor visas and continuing to do so even when those visas had expired.
He pleaded guilty to exploiting multiple migrants and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
At the sentencing, two of the Kurisi’s victims detailed the financial impact and emotional harm they had experienced, including having pay withheld and being forced to sleep on the ground in a garage.
The pair said how they were paid between $12-$15 an hour. The minimum wage in New Zealand at the time was $18.90. Neither of the victims were paid for all hours worked.
“They remained in New Zealand to see this through and can now put this chapter behind them, and finally return home knowing that Kurisi has been held to account,” MBIE spokesperson Steve Watson said.
And this is the first time Kurisi has faced court for exploiting workers. Kurisi was previously sentenced in 2017 on charges linked to a human trafficking case.
He was found guilty of charges relating to 13 workers who were not entitled to work in New Zealand.
Watson the Immigration Compliance and Investigations General Manager thanked the investigation team and hoped the sentencing would act as a strong deterrent for further offending.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the involvement of our Labour Inspectorate, Tenancy Services, New Zealand Police colleagues and to Zespri for their cooperation. I am also very proud of our investigation team who worked tirelessly to bring this matter to court.”
Kurisi was given time off his sentencing for his early guilty plea, reparation payment and also for his ill health and age.