The article describes a case involving four migrant workers from India and Bangladesh who were reportedly underpaid over $20,000 at United Petroleum outlets in Sandy Bay and Kingston. Anna Booth, the Fair Work Ombudsman, is pursuing legal action against KLM Foods and Vizaan Pty Ltd, operators of the outlets, for paying the workers, who were on Australian working visas, “unlawfully low rates” as low as $16 per hour and using false pay slips. Loveleen Gupta, director of KLM Foods and spouse of Vizaan’s director, is implicated in both cases, although Vizaan’s director is not a respondent.
The workers, including a junior aged 19-20, were reportedly paid flat rates for a fixed number of hours and received no compensation for additional hours. While some underpayments were rectified, KLM Foods and Mr Gupta allegedly violated the Fair Work Act by demanding an unlawful cashback payment from one worker. KLM Foods is also accused of providing false timesheets to the Ombudsman and violating record-keeping laws.
This case is part of a broader investigation that audited 20 United Petroleum-branded outlets in various Australian states, leading to legal action in South Australia over unpaid annual leave entitlements. The court will hear the KLM Foods and Vizaan matters in Melbourne on February 27. Ms Booth emphasises the importance of protecting vulnerable workers, including visa holders and young workers, and warns against using false records.
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