Australia – Labour hire firm pays back underpaid workers

By memberservices@staffingindustry.com (Craig Johnson)

A labour hire firm in Fremantle, Western Australia, paid AUD 16,000 in back pay to five overseas workers who had been underpaid, the Australia Fair Work Ombudsman reported. The labour hire firm had paid the workers AUD 22 per hour for all hours worked instead of increased rates for overtime and weekend work.

Casual employees are entitled to receive up to AUD 32.54 per hour on Saturdays, AUD 43.38 on Sundays and AUD 43.38 for overtime.

The labour hire company had assigned the workers to a food processing plant in Perth where they cut, peeled, washed and packed vegetables. The workers were from non-English speaking backgrounds.

An enforcement action was avoided by the labour hire company because it cooperated with the Fair Work Ombudsman and agreed to take steps to comply in the future. However, further breaches could result in enforcement actions.

Source:: Staffing Industry Analysts Daily Newsfeed