Cafes, restaurants and other businesses will be randomly audited by the Fair Work Ombudsman as part of a new campaign to ensure that employers are paying their staff correctly.
Up to 200 businesses will be scrutinised, with Fair Work inspectors checking that employers are paying the correct minimum hourly rates, penalty rates, allowances, loadings and providing appropriate meal breaks. Compliance with record keeping and pay-slip obligations will also be monitored.
The campaign will focus on businesses in and around Merrylands, Guildford, Fairfield, Parramatta and Mount Druitt and will target industries including manufacturing, carpentry, foodservice, childcare, hairdressing and beauty, road freight transport and computer system design.
Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said the agency receives a constant stream of requests for assistance from employees across the western suburbs.
"It's important we check workers are being paid correctly, but we also want to be pro-active about ensuring employers understand their obligations," she said.