The Fair Work Ombudsman conducted surprise inspections across food outlets in Perth which has resulted in $769,475 recovered for 379 underpaid employees.
The investigation targeted 46 fast food, restaurant, cafes, and cheap eat venues across Belmont, Victoria Park, and East Victoria Park with 41 investigations finalised and 38 businesses found to have allegedly breached workplace laws.
Following the investigations, The Fair Work Ombudsman issued 38 compliance notices to recover $742,658 for 359 workers and 13 infringement notices totalling $38,380.
Some employers rectified underpayments without the use of an enforcement tool, while the Fair Work Ombudsman continues to investigate five businesses.
The highest amount recovered from an employer was $77,673 for 53 employees who had allegedly been paid incorrect weekend penalty rates, casual loading, and base rates of pay.
The most common breach across the investigations was alleged underpayment of or failure to pay penalty rates; failure to pay correct minimum wages for ordinary hours; and not meeting employee leave entitlements.
“These disappointing Perth findings 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,” says Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth.
“Employers must follow all wage laws, including penalty rates which generally serve as compensation for those working at times when most people are not. Those doing the wrong thing are being found out and held to account.”
The inspections were part of a nation-wide program of audits by the Fair Work Ombudsman which has so far hit Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Hobart, Launceston, Darwin, Gold Coast, Newcastle, and Canberra.
