Fair Work Ombudsman
At a glance
- Din Tai Fung
- $62,000
- 17
What happened
Guoyong “Jet” Liu, a visa holder, worked at Din Tai Fung in Sydney between July 2014 and May 2018. He and 16 other employees, primarily migrants from China and Indonesia, were deliberately underpaid. Jet felt pressured to accept low wages and experienced significant stress and reduced time with his family. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated and found a calculated scheme to underpay employees. The company, an associated company, and two company representatives faced penalties.
What was decided
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured penalties totaling $4 million against Din Tai Fung, an associated company, and two company representatives for deliberately underpaying employees. Jet Liu received $50,588 in back wages plus $12,116 in interest. A total of $197,316 in penalties was paid to the FWO and distributed to affected employees. The court case related to Jet's employment with DTF (World Square) Pty Ltd. The Ombudsman emphasized protections for visa holders who report workplace issues.
What it means for employers
Employers must ensure all employees, including visa holders, are paid at least the minimum wage and receive all entitlements. Exploiting vulnerable workers, particularly those with visa restrictions, is illegal and carries significant financial penalties. Employers should be aware of the protections in place for employees who raise concerns about wage underpayment.
What it means for employees
Visa holders have the same workplace rights as Australian citizens and are protected from adverse action if they report concerns to the Fair Work Ombudsman. Employees should know their minimum wage rights and seek help if they suspect they are being underpaid. The Fair Work Ombudsman encourages vulnerable workers to come forward.
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