MBIE is zoning in on the retail sector and how it treats vulnerable workers

The Labour Inspectorate's taken 19 cases to the Employment Relations Authority or Employment Court this year - resulting in company directors paying more than 475 thousand dollars.

In the latest case, a Dunedin convenience store owner's been ordered to pay 36 thousand dollars after failing to keep time, wage and holiday records - or pay workers for public holidays.

Labour Inspectorate Southern Regional Manager Jeanie Borsboom says retail tends to employ migrants and young people on low wages.

She says personal liability means owners cannot avoid payments to the ERA even if they close their business.