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Breaking News
Watchdog eyes Xmas pay packets
19th November, 2008
The national pay protector today released a new list of high-risk businesses it will target in the lead-up to Christmas to ensure workers are properly paid.
The workplace watchdog's latest hit-list includes bakeries, butchers, dairy producers, coffee shops and take-away food outlets.
Also in the sights of inspectors will be grocers, smallgoods stores and both retail and wholesale suppliers of poultry and seafood.
Federal Workplace Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson says the national food services campaign will run well into the New Year.
Almost 1,000 businesses - stand-alone and those located in cafe strips and food courts, including franchises - will be randomly audited in all sates and territories.
Mr Wilson says employers found to be underpaying staff or breaching other workplace laws will initially be aksed to rectify the issue voluntarily. However, he signalled legal action would be considered against those found to be blatantly abusing the law, with maximum penalties of $33,000.
The latest campaign comes hot on the heels of a concerted effort to ensure compliance within the hospitality sector.
The Workplace Ombudsman last month turned the spotlight on pubs, bars, clubs, taverns, restaurants and some 5-star hotels.
Inspectors are currently winding up a national crackdown on school buses, tourist coaches, charter lines, couries, furniture removalists, taxi trucks and long-distance haulage.
Meanwhile, a human services campaign focused on 500 aged and child-care providers around the country had just ended, delivering $155,000 in back-pay to 600 workers.
Mr Wilson said the complaints coming into his office suggested the food services industry warranted attention, particularly given the number of vulnerable workers it employed.
The top 10 industries for the Workplace Ombudsman are currently cafes and restaurants, real estate agents, security and investigative services, pubs, taverns and bars, accommodation, hairdressing and beauty salons, road freight transport, cleaning services, take-away food retailing and clubs.
www.wo.gov.au Thursday 13th November 2008