“Carlin Hotel employees claim unpaid wages and unusual death of owner”

… this month a number of staff members [at the Carlin Hotel] have been laid off with hours' notice, and it is unlikely the hotel will be able to pay out their annual leave or notice period.

The four workers spoken to by Crux had all relied on the hotel for their right to stay and work in New Zealand, and now they are scrambling to find alternative employers…

…staff [at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Queenstown] are assisting them to apply for migrant exploitation protection work visas…

They say they have been instructed by their former employer not to talk to media.

This week Crux put questions to Diana Matchett and Colin Gower, both of BDO Christchurch, who were appointed receivers…but our enquiries were passed on to Richard Inder, the director of public relations firm The Project.

Mr Inder has declined to answer questions, saying he is unable to comment on the specific claims made by the individuals Crux refers to…

All the workers spoken to by Crux confirm they received less than 24 hours' notice that their jobs at the hotel no longer existed…

Another worker calculates they are owed more than $8,500 - …