Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2023-10-18-ag-omnibus-october-2023-media-release
At a glance
- Penalty
- $316,860
- Employees affected
- 184
What happened
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has conducted inspections of 447 agriculture businesses across 15 regional areas of Australia since December 2021. These inspections targeted areas with a high risk of non-compliance. The FWO has issued 98 infringement notices for pay slip and record-keeping breaches, totalling $316,860 in fines, with most fines directed at labour hire entities. Additionally, 48 compliance notices resulted in $72,301 in back-payments for 184 workers. Investigations in the Sunraysia region found 37 non-compliant businesses, with labour hire companies receiving the majority of fines.
What was decided
The FWO has issued a total of $316,860 in fines to agriculture employers for record-keeping and pay slip breaches. A total of $72,301 was recovered for 184 underpaid workers. The FWO is urging agriculture employers to improve compliance, particularly regarding record-keeping and pay slips. The FWO will continue to prioritise the agriculture sector and take enforcement action where necessary. The Horticulture Award changes have prompted increased scrutiny of pieceworker arrangements.
What it means for employers
Agriculture employers, especially labour hire entities, must prioritise compliance with record-keeping and pay slip laws. Failure to do so can result in significant fines, back-payments, and legal proceedings. Employers should utilise the FWO's free resources to ensure compliance, particularly regarding pieceworker arrangements following recent Horticulture Award changes.
What it means for employees
Workers in the agriculture sector, particularly visa holders, should be aware of their rights regarding pay slips, record-keeping, and payment methods. If workers are not receiving pay slips, cannot identify their employer, or are paid cash-in-hand, they should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Every statement above is drawn from the published decision. Read the original here:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2023-media-releases/october-2023/20231018-ag-omnibus-october-2023-media-releaseWant more cases like this?
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This summary was drafted by AI from the published decision and reviewed before publishing. It is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, speak to the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified lawyer. About these summaries & corrections →