The Labour Inspectorate is investigating two contractors found working on Hope Orchard in Hastings, where seven people were working in breach of their visas. (File photo)

Seven people have been caught working on a Hawke's Bay orchard without legal working visas.

The Labour Inspectorate is investigating two contractors found working on Hope Orchard in Hastings, where seven people were working in breach of their visas.

The Labour Inspectorate and Immigration New Zealand (both part of MBIE) recently visited the orchard as well as two Pukekohe vegetable farms to check whether businesses followed the legal requirements in respect of their employees. The visits were part of a proactive programme to check compliance in the horticulture sector.

Labour Inspectorate regional manager, Kevin Finnegan, said problems were found at all three locations.

Seven people were working in breach of their visas in Hastings and four in Pukekohe. Eight of the workers were issued warnings, two were taken into custody for deportation and one was issued a notice making him liable for deportation.

A number of contractors operating on the Fresh Grower Ltd and Hira Bhana & Co Ltd farms in Pukekohe had no employment agreements for their employees, and were allegedly paying them no more than $14.50 an hour in cash – significantly below the current minimum wage. One contractor had migrant employees working illegally on visitors' visas.

Enforcement action against the employers was still being finalised.