FWO targeting fast food, restaurants, cafés sectors
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) is conducting inspections of 27 food businesses in Melbourne's north-eastern suburbs this week to ensure workers are receiving proper pay.
This initiative is part of the FWO's ongoing commitment to uphold workplace laws and protect vulnerable workers, particularly in the fast food, restaurant, and café sectors.
"Fair Work Inspectors will be on the ground in Melbourne's Manningham area this week holding employers to account if they are not following workplace laws," said Anna Booth, Fair Work Ombudsman, in a statement.
The targeted inspections are taking place in the Manningham City Council suburbs of Doncaster, Doncaster East, Bulleen, Templestowe, Park Orchards, and Warrandyte.
Fair Work inspectors engage with workers
The businesses were selected for inspection based on various intelligence factors, including anonymous reports and prior instances of alleged non-compliance. Particular attention is given to establishments employing vulnerable workers, such as young people and visa holders.
"The fast food, restaurants, and cafés sector employs many young workers and visa holders who can be unaware of their workplace rights or unwilling to speak up," Booth said.
Fair Work Inspectors are engaging directly with business owners, managers, and employees while requesting essential payroll records.
According to the FWO, the inspectors are particularly alert for issues such as underpaid base and penalty rates, employees not receiving the correct meal breaks, unpaid hours worked, and missing payslips.
Food Precincts Programme drives inspections
FWO's national Food Precincts Programme drives these inspections, aiming to assess compliance with the Fair Work Act in areas with a high concentration of low-cost dining options.
"Unfortunately, we've found a high rate of non-compliance through our Food Precincts Programme inspections nationwide; it seems that employees often pay the price of low-cost dining," Booth said.
The FWO has previously had significant success in recovering unpaid wages through its Food Precincts Programme.
Inspections in Melbourne's inner south and inner west resulted in the recovery of $684,543 in wages for 1,004 workers. Similarly, in Melbourne's south-east, $58,000 was returned to 121 food outlet workers following unannounced inspections and investigations.
"We urge workers with concerns about their wages and entitlements to reach out to us – including anonymously if preferred. Employers should access our free tools and resources to ensure they're meeting their obligations, or contact the FWO directly for free advice," Booth said.
