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The Fair Work Ombudsman has identified a region in Australia where it believes workplaces may have some vulnerabilities, threatening significant consequences for those “deliberately flouting” the law.
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Regulator names new audit plans as complaints spike
16 August 2017
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7 minute read
About 200 businesses in the south-east of South Australia are set for compliance checks as part of Fair Work Ombudsman's latest compliance campaign.
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Specifically, areas around Mount Gambier, Renmark and Murray Bridge are set to be audited.
The scope of the checks by industry will include retail trade, accommodation and food services sectors.
A number of factors have contributed to the regulator’s decision, including that the region has a “large number” of employees in low-skilled work, and the region has the highest rate of disputes lodged by visa holders Australia-wide.
Over the two financial years from 2014-15 to 2015-16, Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said her agency had recovered over $320,000 in back-pay for 179 workers in the region.
"Where businesses refuse to co-operate with my agency, or where our inspectors identify instances of serious or deliberate non-compliance, we will ensure that appropriate action is taken to enforce the law," Ms James said.
"Employers must be aware that deliberately flouting workplace laws can result in significant consequences."
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