The Fair Work Ombudsman is targeting venues across Brisbane’s Sunnybank region this week to ensure employees are receiving their right pay and entitlements from employers.
The investigation comes after the Fair Work Ombudsman received tip-offs from a range of sources indicating the potential of employees being underpaid and non-compliance with laws.
Over 45 businesses will face investigation based on the intelligence received from the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The venues are located across Sunnybank, Macgregor, Robertson, and Sunnybank Hills with most defined as ‘cheap eats’ locations.
Fair Work Inspectors will speak will business owners, managers, and employees and will also request records.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth says the fast food, restaurant, and café sector are a focus for the regulator often employing young workers and visa holders who can be vulnerable.
“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,” says Ms Booth.
“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.”
The checks are part of a national program for Fair Work which has so far recovered more than $680,000 in unpaid wages for workers in Melbourne’s inner south and inner west areas.