Fair pay watchdog puts Brisbane restaurants on notice
Brisbane South restaurants have been put under the fair pay watchdog’s microscope, which is cracking down on wage theft.
Inspectors will target fast food outlets, restaurants and cafes as the Fair Work Ombudsman inspects more than 45 businesses in Sunnybank, Macgregor, Robertson and Sunnybank Hills.
Owners, managers and employees will be grilled and records requested.
Venues will be targeted based on tips about potential underpayments of employees. Those with a history of hiring vulnerable visa holders or young workers, will also be scrutinised.
The area was targeted in 2023, with the watchdog recouping more than $400,000 in stolen wages.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said “Inspectors are on the ground in Brisbane this week speaking with employees and holding employers to account if they are not meeting their obligations. We won’t hesitate to take enforcement action if needed.
“These inspections 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.”
“This sector engages many young workers and visa holders who can be vulnerable, as they are often unaware of their workplace rights or unwilling to speak up.”
Unlawfully low flat rates of pay, “off the books” employment, inadequate or missed breaks; non-payment of penalty rates and overtime rates and inadequate or false record-keeping and pay slips will all be examined.
Jonathan Jackson, 6th December 2023
