The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has launched legal action against an IGA supermarket operator in Melbourne, alleging he underpaid employees and gave the FWO false records.
FWO Natalie James said the operator, Said ‘Sam’ Haddad, allegedly had previously been put on notice about his obligations regarding payment of employees and record-keeping.
Mr Haddad will face trial in the Federal Circuit Court on March 15 as the operator and majority owner of the Fairfield IGA supermarket and former operator and majority owner of the Altona IGA supermarket.
The FWO alleges that six employees at the two supermarkets were underpaid a total of $11,373 between November 2013 and November 2015.
Also facing court in the same case are Hadya Nominees and Deja Vu Elite Security. Mr Haddad is the director of both companies.
The companies face penalties of up to $54,000 per contravention for a number of alleged offences under the Fair Work Act.
Three of Mr Haddad’s employees were aged between 19 and 23.
“Young workers can be more vulnerable to exploitation as they’re often not fully aware of their rights or reluctant to complain,” Ms James said.
Documents filed in court claim the employees were paid flat rates ranging from $15 to $20 an hour.
Mr Haddad has been accused of three other contraventions, with each carrying a maximum penalty of $10,800.