Melbourne cafe in court over wage rip off

A Melbourne cafe is being taken to court for allegedly ripping off workers to the tune of more than $70,000 by paying a flat rate as low as $16 an hour.

The operator of a 24-hour cafe in Melbourne's Crown Casino will face court for allegedly ripping off 54 employees by more than $73,000.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Ital One Holdings Pty Ltd, which operates a number of cafes and restaurants in Melbourne, including Cafe Baci in the Crown precinct at Southbank.

It's alleged the 54 Cafe Baci employees, most on working visas, were paid flat rates as low as $16 for all hours worked, despite the cafe operating 24-hours a day.