The Fair Work Ombudsman has conducted surprise inspections of food outlets in Melbourne’s southeast to check if the workers there getting the right pay and entitlements.
About 30 businesses face investigations after the FWO has received multiple intelligence reports that indicate potential underpayments of employees in the food precincts in the area. Most of the eateries are described as ‘cheap eats’ venues.
Businesses were also targeted based on other indicators of non-compliance such as the employment of young, vulnerable workers such as visa holders, or both.
Inspectors are on alert for unlawfully low flat rates; non-existent or inaccurate payslips; deliberately falsified time and wage records; unpaid hours of work; late payments; unpaid penalty rates; unauthorised deductions; and adverse action such as being treated unfairly for raising workplace issues.
As part of the inspections, Fair Work Inspectors have been speaking with business owners, managers and employees on the ground, and requesting records.
Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Kristen Hannah said protecting vulnerable workers and improving compliance in the fast food, restaurant and café sector were priorities for the regulator.
“Inspectors in south-east Melbourne are knocking on doors this week, and they will speak with employees and hold employers to account if they are not meeting their obligations. We know this sector engages many young workers and visa holders who can be vulnerable, as they are often unaware of their workplace rights and unwilling to speak up,” Hannah said.
“Employers should be aware – we won’t hesitate to take enforcement action where appropriate,” she added.
These inspections follow the Fair Work Ombudsman’s recent announcement of having recovered more than $680,000 in unpaid wages for fastfood, restaurant and café sector workers in Melbourne’s inner south and inner west.
The audits are part of a national program that has previously targeted eateries in multiple locations across the country.
