A Southland dairy farm and its owner have lost an appeal for exploiting vulnerable workers

Rural Practice Limited and its owner Reza Abdul-Jabbar have been fined 215-thousand dollars by the Employment Relations Authority, for multiple breaches including failing to pay minimum wage to immigrant workers.

Abdul-Jabbar was also a religious leader, who mentored at least one of the three Indonesian employees he exploited.

Judge Joanna Holden says there was a clear imbalance of power.

She says the employers took advantage of the new immigrants, who lacked knowledge of local law and employment requirements.