Two Auckland restaurant managers are facing fines and up to seven years imprisonment for underpaying staff.

A Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment sting found the Masala chain to be paying workers as little as two dollars an hour.

Joti Jain and Rajwinder Grewal pleaded guilty to 20 immigration and exploitation charges at Auckland District Court this morning.

One employee worked 11 hours seven days a week and another was paid $40 dollars for nine weeks work.

The prosecution is also seeking 58 thousand dollars in reparation.

Grewal and Jain will be sentenced next month.