Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2025-04-24-yesilbas-penalty-media-release
At a glance
- Penalty
- $8,667
- Employees affected
- 1
- Awards cited
- MA000173
What happened
Tamer Yesilbas, the former operator of The Dock Lounge bar in Melbourne, has been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The penalty relates to breaches of pay slip laws and failure to comply with a Compliance Notice. The Compliance Notice concerned a casual bar worker employed from December 2022 to January 2023. The worker was an Italian visa holder. Yesilbas had previously paid $2,000 to the worker, which was owed under the Compliance Notice.
What was decided
The Federal Circuit and Family Court imposed an $8,667 penalty against Tamer Yesilbas. He was previously ordered to back-pay the worker $1,932 in entitlements. Judge John O’Sullivan found Yesilbas’s failure to comply with the Compliance Notice was serious. The court noted Yesilbas’s ABN remains registered and linked to six business names, meaning he may have future employee obligations. The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured significant penalties in cases involving visa holder workers.
What it means for employers
Employers must comply with Compliance Notices issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman. Failure to do so can result in substantial penalties and back-payment obligations. Employers engaging visa holders must be aware of their obligations and ensure compliance with workplace laws. The Fair Work Ombudsman prioritises protecting migrant workers and improving compliance in sectors like hospitality.
What it means for employees
Visa holder workers have the same rights as all other Australian workers. Employees concerned about their pay or entitlements should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free assistance. Employees can seek information from their employer or union.
Every statement above is drawn from the published decision. Read the original here:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2025-media-releases/april-2025/20250424-yesilbas-penalty-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 →