The Fair Work Ombudsman has recovered a staggering amount of money for underpaid food outlet workers in Adelaide’s west.
The Ombudsman investigated 36 hospitality venues in suburbs including Bowden, Croydon, Allenby Gardens, Woodville, Grange and Flinders Park, which were selected for investigation based on a range of intelligence sources.
79 per cent of businesses had breached workplace laws varying from failing to pay penalty rates to underpaying minimum wages as well as pay slip breaches.
“These disappointing findings in Adelaide’s western suburbs are part of a national Food Precincts Program where we’ve often found that low-cost dining comes at the expense of workers’ lawful wages,” said Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth.
370 workers now have money back in their pockets as a result of the blitz, which found one business had underpaid 10 workers a total of $65,986.
26 compliance notices were issued, which has led to $272,991 recovered for 332 workers. The remaining money was voluntarily paid back to workers without enforcement.
$103,156 in fines have been paid by nine businesses for pay slip and record-keeping breaches.
Investigations into three businesses remain ongoing.
“Employers must follow all wage laws, including penalty rates, which generally serve as compensation for those working at times when most people are not,” said Booth. “Those doing the wrong thing are being found out and held to account. We also urge workers with concerns about wages and entitlements to reach out to us – including anonymously if preferred.”
In 2023–24, the regulator recovered $5.6 million for more than 3,000 underpaid fast food, restaurant and café workers nationally.
