The operator of a Degani café in Melbourne’s north east is facing the Federal Circuit Court after allegedly using false records to cover up more than $12,000 in underpayments of staff, including one aged just 15.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Sajid Amin, who manages and part-owns the Degani outlet at Greensborough, and his company SHMAP Group Pty Ltd, which holds a franchise agreement for the outlet.
It is alleged Amin and SHMAP Group underpaid 15 employees at the Degani café a total of $12,506 between September and November 2016.
The employees included four teenagers and two adult overseas workers from China and Malaysia.
Amin and SHMAP Group also allegedly contravened workplace laws by creating false or misleading records and providing them to the Fair Work Ombudsman during its investigation.
Amin allegedly asked a 19-year-old employee who was underpaid the largest individual amount to sign blank timesheets, before making false entries in the timesheets, understating the number of hours the employee had worked.
All underpayments have now been back-paid in full.
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