Fashion staff waiting on wages

Staff at fashion chain Valleygirl are facing uncertainty after the business was placed in administration.

Shop assistants who did not want to be identified said they had been told Australian administrators Jirsch Sutherland were taking over from July 22.

But it was not clear whether they would be paid wages they are owed. Pay for the last fortnight was supposed to have been processed on Wednesday night but did not arrive.

A note to staff said: ‘‘Employee wages from July 22 onwards are guaranteed by the administrator until otherwise notified. In relation to arrears, the administrators are currently assessing the financial position and will advise in due course.’’

One staff member, who asked not to be named, said staff had raised concerns with management about rapidly emptying shelves.

She said they were told it was the result of problems with the Chinese distributor.

Valleygirl has outlets in Auckland, Christchurch, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Hamilton and Wellington.

The company also operates the TEMT brand.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said that if the company stopped trading, employees would have a preferential claim for unpaid wages and holiday pay.