Yogurberry in court accused of $11 hourly rate

A frozen yoghurt chain is accused of underpaying four Korean backpackers who worked at a Sydney outlet up to $18,000.

File image of toppings for frozen yoghurt. Source: Getty Images

The Yogurberry frozen yoghurt chain is facing legal action for allegedly short-changing young overseas workers thousands of dollars.

Four Korean nationals with limited English, employed on 417 working holiday visas, were allegedly underpaid almost $18,000 collectively, with Yogurberry paying them as little as $11 an hour, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The backpackers, who worked at Sydney's World Square outlet for a 10-month period starting in July 2014, should have been paid between $14.82 and $18.52 an hour according to the Fast Food Industry Award.

Legal proceedings have been taken against YBF Australia Pty Ltd, the master franchisor of Yogurberry in Australia, the Fair Work Ombudsman said on Wednesday.