It was revealed by the Fair Work Ombudsman that Dae Bark Mart grocery store in Flinders St in Melbourne CBD underpaid two Korean employees a total of $14,015 over a period of less than four months in 2016.
The Korean grocery shop was run by the Jenni International Pty Ltd and Mr Jordan Shan a former economics professor at the Victoria University of Technology was the sole director of the company.
Both of the Korean staff were in their mid-20s and were paid flat rates of $10 to $12.50 per hour, despite being entitled to minimum hourly rates of $19.44 for ordinary hours, $24.30 on Saturdays, $38.88 on Sundays and up to $48.60 for overtime under the General Retail Industry Award 2010, at the time.
The company also ignored leave entitlements and other benefits supposed to be provided to their emplyees.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action in the Federal Circuit Court against Jordan Shan and the company Jenni International Pty Ltd.
Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Kristen Hannah says “A clearly well-educated employer allegedly blatantly underpaying workers even after being informed of their lawful obligations is completely unacceptable conduct.”
"We also treat cases involving underpayment of overseas workers particularly seriously because we are conscious that they can be vulnerable due to a lack of awareness of their entitlements, language barriers and a reluctance to complain." She says.
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