Australia – Adecco pays volunteers following pressure from the Fair Work Ombudsman (The Age)

The Fair Work Ombudsman has investigated the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Adecco for breaches of federal workplace laws after they offered the “opportunity” to work for free at the Melbourne Grand Prix, according to the Age. Adecco has already paid five workers it engaged $3,569 while the Grand Prix Corporation will pay back another 18 workers.

The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, which first raised the issue, said it was concerned there were systemic problems with the use of unpaid labour at major events. Union director, Adam Portelli, said labour hire firms had supplied workers to events including the Australian Open tennis. “We’re concerned that these revelations just scratch the surface,” Mr Portelli said. “It’s alarming that a multinational labour hire company thought it could get away with such blatant behaviour.

Source: Australia – Adecco pays volunteers following pressure from the Fair Work Ombudsman (The Age)