A Tasmanian restaurant owner has admitted underpaying female staff member because she had poor English.
The worker, a 30-year-old Chinese woman in Hobart on a 417 visa, contacted the Fair Work Ombudsman over problems with her pay at Written on Tea restaurant.
The Fair Work Ombudsman found that the restaurant’s owner, Rebecca Lin Cong, was paying workers who did not have a strong grasp of English just $11 an hour.
It said Ms Cong believed she was giving her staff opportunities and she did not need to pay them in full.
Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said employers could not decide on the value of their staff based on language skills, "and those who think they can exploit vulnerable overseas workers in order to reduce business costs need to think again," she said.
Action was taken against Ms Cong to ensure she complied with the relevant laws, and she has now pack-paid her former employee her outstanding wages.
The restaurant catered for the travelling party of Chinese President Xi Jinping when he visited Tasmania in November.
Need help? Employers and employees can call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94
Share
