An Indian-origin employer’s alleged workplace exploitation of two Indian International students has come to light in Australia. This employer has been accused of underpaying his staff and creating false records.
7-Eleven outlet’s manager and part-owner Avinash Pratap Singh in Brisbane is facing court for allegedly short-changing two international students from India.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has announced legal action against Mr. Singh and his company who run the 7-Eleven fuel outlet at 508 Vulture Street, East Brisbane for allegedly underpaying a total of $5593 to two international students from India over a five-month period in 2014.
The Fair Work Ombudsman conducted inquiries following media coverage relating to the outlet in 2015 and received a request for assistance from one of the employees.
It is alleged that Mr Singh and S & A Enterprises paid flat hourly rates as low as $15 an hour, resulting in underpayment of minimum hourly rates, overtime rates, casual loadings and penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work.
Mr Singh and the company allegedly also created false employment records when making false entries into the 7-Eleven head office payroll system.
Mr Singh and the company allegedly also knowingly provided false time-and-wage records to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The alleged underpayments have now been rectified.
MR SINGH FACES HEFTY PENALTIES
The operators of a Brisbane 7-Eleven store have copped record fines for short changing staff. (AAP) Source: AAP
Mr Singh and the company allegedly also contravened workplace laws by failing to fully comply with two Notices to Produce issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Mr Singh faces maximum penalties of up to $10,200 per contravention and S & A Enterprises up to $51,000. A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit Court in Brisbane on February 6, 2017.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is also seeking Court Orders for S & A Enterprises to commission an audit of its compliance with workplace laws – and to report the results to the Fair Work Ombudsman and promptly resolve any non-compliance issues discovered.
In addition, the Fair Work Ombudsman is seeking a Court order for the company to display an in-store notice informing employees of entitlements.
NEED HELP? HERE'S HOW YOU CAN APPROACH FAIR WORK OMBUDSMAN
Employers and employees seeking assistance can visit or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. An interpreter service is available by calling 13 14 50.
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