The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured more than $58,000 for 121 underpaid workers during a surprise blitz in south-east Melbourne.
Inspectors targeted 32 “cheap eats” venues in Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, Carnegie, Glen Huntly, Caulfield, Caulfield East, Elsternwick, and Clayton according to intelligence from a range of sources such as anonymous reports.
It was found 81 per cent of businesses had breached workplace laws, with the most common issues including underpaying minimum wages, penalty rates, and not keeping accurate time records.
One business underpaid four workers a total of $13,071, with each employee paid below the minimum flat rate.
Employers who did not meet payslip and record-keeping obligations were fined $31,461 after receiving 15 infringement notices.
“The high rate of breaches of workplace laws in south-east Melbourne’s fast food, restaurants and cafés sector is disappointing, and consistent with our findings in the sector nationwide,” said Fair Work Ombudsman.
“Employers must follow all wage laws, including paying minimum wages, which have recently increased. Those doing the wrong thing are being found out and held to account.”
The Food Precincts Program alone has recovered more than $1.2 million for workers in Melbourne’s food sector.
