By Webfit News
7 July 2026
A Palmerston North business director has been sentenced after being found guilty of exploiting a migrant worker by demanding tens of thousands of dollars while employing her, in a case Immigration New Zealand (INZ) says highlights the serious consequences of migrant exploitation.
The sentencing follows an extensive investigation by Immigration New Zealand, with authorities describing the offending as a significant abuse of power against a vulnerable employee seeking to build a future in New Zealand.
Director Sentenced Following INZ Investigation
Dodamwalage Kalani Helikumari Jayawardhana, commonly known as Kalani, appeared before the Court on 6 July 2026 after being convicted on three charges of migrant exploitation.
Jayawardhana was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. The sentence will be served as 12 months of home detention.
The Court also ordered her to repay $59,657.68, which includes unpaid wages, PAYE contributions, and $15,000 that she unlawfully demanded from the employee during her employment.
At the time of the offending, Jayawardhana was a director of Computer Express 24 Care Limited, a business based in Palmerston North.
Migrant Worker Allegedly Pressured Into Paying Employer
According to Immigration New Zealand, the victim was a Sri Lankan national employed as an office manager.
While working for the company and attempting to establish a long-term future in New Zealand through the country’s immigration system, she was repeatedly pressured into making substantial payments to her employer.
Investigators found that the offending included demands for the repayment of wages the employee had legitimately earned, along with additional payments amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.
Authorities say the financial demands were made while the worker remained employed, placing her in a highly vulnerable position.
Immigration New Zealand Condemns Exploitation
National Manager Investigations Jason Perry said the case demonstrated how vulnerable migrant workers can be targeted by employers seeking financial gain.
He said people come to New Zealand with hopes of improving their lives through honest work, and no employer has the right to take advantage of those aspirations.
According to Perry, workers should never be expected to pay money to an employer in exchange for employment or future immigration opportunities.
He said wages earned through legitimate employment should support workers and their families rather than benefit employers through unlawful demands.
Impact Goes Beyond Financial Loss
Immigration New Zealand says migrant exploitation causes harm far beyond lost income.
Officials say workers often feel trapped, isolated and fearful of speaking out because their employment may be linked to their immigration status.
For many migrants, losing a job can create uncertainty about visas, financial stability and future residency applications.
That fear can make reporting exploitation extremely difficult, allowing abusive practices to continue unchecked.
Perry acknowledged the courage shown by the complainant in coming forward despite the risks involved.
He also praised Immigration New Zealand investigators, saying their persistence ensured the offending was uncovered and those responsible were held accountable.
A Warning to Employers
Immigration New Zealand says the outcome sends a clear message that employers who exploit migrant workers can face serious criminal consequences.
Investigations into migrant exploitation are often lengthy because they involve complex financial evidence, employment records and witness testimony. However, authorities say these cases remain a priority because they protect both migrant workers and the integrity of New Zealand’s employment and immigration systems.
The agency continues to encourage workers experiencing exploitation to report concerns, assuring victims that support mechanisms exist and that allegations are taken seriously.
Protecting New Zealand’s Employment System
New Zealand has strengthened its response to migrant exploitation in recent years through tougher legislation, increased investigative powers and greater penalties for employers who breach employment and immigration laws.
The government says maintaining public confidence in the immigration system requires ensuring all workers, regardless of nationality or visa status, are treated fairly and lawfully.
Employment experts have long warned that migrant workers can be particularly vulnerable due to limited local support networks, unfamiliarity with employment rights, language barriers and concerns about their visa status.
Cases such as this reinforce the importance of education, enforcement and accessible reporting channels to ensure workers are protected from unlawful practices.
Why This Case Matters
The sentencing serves as a reminder that migrant exploitation is not simply an employment issue. It is also a matter of public trust, human rights and the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration framework.
For businesses that comply with employment law, successful prosecutions help create a fairer marketplace by ensuring dishonest employers do not gain an unfair financial advantage.
For migrant communities, the case demonstrates that authorities are prepared to investigate allegations and pursue prosecutions where evidence supports criminal offending.
Immigration New Zealand says every worker deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of where they come from, and employers who seek to profit through intimidation or unlawful financial demands will continue to face enforcement action.
Source: Immigration New Zealand / Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
