Fair Work targets Adelaide fast food outlets in wage theft blitz
The Fair Work Ombudsman is this week targeting food outlets in the western suburbs of Adelaide with surprise inspections.
The regulator is checking that the ‘cheap eat’ venues in the region are paying proper wages and entitlements and keeping proper records.
Fair Work targets western suburbs of Adelaide
Inspectors will visit 35 outlets in areas such as Bowden, Croydon, Allenby Gardens, Woodville, Grange, and Flinders Park.
They will speak to business owners, managers, and employees on-site, and will inspect employment records.
The inspectors will also ensure proper pay slips are being issued to workers.
Inspectors will visit 35 outlets in areas such as Bowden, Croydon, Allenby Gardens, Woodville, Grange, and Flinders Park.
Reports of wage theft
Fair Work is focusing on the area after receiving a number of reports of wage theft from workers.
Venues that employ vulnerable workers such as visa holders and young workers will be specifically targeted.
Industrial advocate Miles Heffernan said wage theft is rife in the fast food, restaurant and cafe industries.
Industries rife with wage theft
Industrial advocate Miles Heffernan said wage theft is rife in the fast food, restaurant and cafe industries.
“For years now we have seen many employers in these industries use wage theft as a business model,” he said.
“Young workers and visa holders are easy to exploit because they may not know their workplace rights or might be afraid to complain.”
Mr Heffernan advised anyone who is not being paid their proper wages and entitlements to contact fairworkclaims.com.au.
“Our team has extensive experience recovering wages for our clients and we know wage theft laws intimately,” he said.
“Whether you’re on the minimum wage or earning hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, no one deserves to have their wages stolen.”
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Protecting vulnerable workers
Meanwhile, newly appointed Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth emphasised the importance of protecting vulnerable workers.
She said the regulator is working to improve compliance within the fast food, restaurant, and café sector.
“Inspectors are on the ground in Adelaide 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,” Ms Booth said.
“These inspections are part of a national food precincts program where we’ve often found the low cost of dining comes at the expense of workers’ lawful entitlements.”
“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,” Ms Booth said.
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