The operators of a former Melbourne restaurant which paid a full-time cook less than $10,000 for 18 months’ work have been fined more than $180,000.The Federal Workplace Ombudsman prosecuted businessman Poh Meng Hong for underpaying staff at his former Malaysian restaurant at Box Hill. In the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday, Magistrate Kate Hawkins imposed a $158,400 penalty against Penang Kayu Nasi Kander Pty Ltd, which formerly traded as Kayu@Boxhill. The Court also handed down a $25,000... ...Read more »

A Melbourne restaurant allegedly underpaid a kitchen hand more than $47,000 over five years because it considered him to be “handicapped”, an investigation by the Federal Workplace Ombudsman has discovered. The national pay protector has initiated legal action against two former directors who have revealed to inspectors that they paid the man what they thought was “reasonable” because they believed he was “sick in the head”. They are Elias Mazloum, of Oak Park... ...Read more »

Butchers and bakers are the latest target of a campaign to stamp out exploitation of workers in South Australia.The Federal Workplace Ombudsman has written to almost 500 businesses alerting them to a crackdown on the food services industry. Up to 100 employers will be randomly selected for audit by workplace inspectors to ensure staff are being properly paid. Executive Director Michael Campbell said the decision to closely scrutinise butchers and bakers follows an increase in complaints. “One... ...Read more »

Restaurants trying to save overheads by ignoring wage requirements should note that a former restaurant which underpaid its kitchen & floor staff has been fined $40,000 and been ordered to back-pay 16 of its former employees almost $22,000 plus interest. The Federal Workplace Ombudsman took the company to the NSW Chief Industrial Magistrates Court after last year receiving a complaint from one of its workers . Global G.T.O. Pty Ltd – which formerly traded as Amici Italian Restaurant on... ...Read more »