Outback Queensland workers back-paid $47,000

Workers in Outback Queensland have been back-paid $47,600 following recent intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The biggest underpayment was $35,000 for three hospitality workers at a Goondiwindi business.

The employees lodged complaints with the Fair Work Ombudsman after they were underpaid their redundancy entitlements, wages in lieu of notice on termination and annual leave entitlements.

The employees were underpaid $22,800, $8500 and $3700 respectively.

After a Fair Work inspector contacted the business and explained its obligations, the workers were reimbursed without the need for further action.

In another case, two foreign backpackers working as farmhands in the St George area have been back-paid $12,600 after they were underpaid the minimum hourly rate, penalty rates and annual leave entitlements.

Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson says when Fair Work inspectors identify an issue and contact a business, most employers check their records, realise a problem has occurred, and fix it immediately.

“When we find mistakes, we’re here to help and give practical advice to employers on how to voluntarily fix them,” Mr Wilson says.

“These Queensland business have now corrected the errors that led to the underpayments and put processes in place to ensure they will not happen again.”

Workers or employers seeking support should get in touch with the Fair Work Ombudsman via the website - www.fairwork.gov.au - or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.

Source: Fair Work Ombudsman, 10 September 2012