CBD noodle restaurant underpaid staff

Go Yo Trading, which operated Ajisen Raman Noodle Restaurant on George Street, has been fined $49,500 in the Federal Magistrates Court. 

The former owners of a Japanese noodle restaurant in Brisbane's CBD have been fined nearly $60,000 after paying foreign workers just $9 an hour.

Go Yo Trading, which operated Ajisen Raman Noodle Restaurant on George Street, was fined $49,500 in the Federal Magistrates Court on Friday after the business's former manager, Yokiro Nakauchi, admitted underpaying two casual waiters.

The two South Korean workers, aged 20 and 23 at the time, were on Australian working holiday visas and spoke little English.

The pair was paid between $9 and $12 an hour, when they were entitled to receive more than $18 an hour for weekday shifts and $20 an hour for weekend and public holiday work.

Mr Nakauchi, from Tallebudgera, admitted underpaying the pair a total of $7779 between October 2010 and February 2011.

He was fined a further $9900.

Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Mark Scully said the court's decision sent a strong message to employers.

“Foreign workers have the same rights as any other worker in Australia and blatant breaches of those rights will not be tolerated,” he said.

“The Fair Work Ombudsman is focused on protecting foreign workers because they can be vulnerable if they are not fully aware of their workplace rights. Youth, language and cultural barriers can also create difficulties.”

Employers or employees seeking assistance should contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 or visit www.fairwork.gov.au.