Kidnapped chefs awarded further damages

Two Indian chefs awarded more than $70,000 in damages by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) after being beaten up and held captive when they quit their jobs have now been awarded costs of nearly $21,000.

Akbar and Bashan Singh quit their jobs at Chahil's Curry and Spice Restaurant in Whangaparaoa in Auckland, in June 2007 because they were unhappy with their wages.

That night, six to eight people, including their boss Rupinder Singh Chahil, arrived unannounced at their home, assaulted them, then took them to separate addresses, holding them captive for a number of hours.

Chahil was sentenced to 18 months' jail on two counts of kidnapping.

Akbar and Bashan Singh lodged applications with the ERA for unpaid wages and holiday pay against Chahil and were awarded $41,831 and $33,524 respectively.

The costs of the four-day investigation were not resolved between the two parties and the Singhs sought costs from the ERA.

"Akbar Singh and Bishan Singh were foreign nationals of very limited means. Arrangements for postponing and recommencing the investigation required a higher than usual amount of time and preparation," ERA member Robin Arthur said, awarding the pair total costs of $20,740.

- NZPA