Hunt On For Exploited Food Workers
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday September 1, 2007
DOZENS of staff at restaurants and takeaway outlets were questioned and 17 shops raided in the main street of Warrnambool last night as the Workplace Ombudsman began a blitz on what he fears is a culture of exploiting and underpaying workers.
Twenty-four workplace inspectors from Adelaide and Melbourne arrived at the seaside town as the peak dining period was getting underway last night to identify and quiz employees who are paid off the books. They served notices to produce time and wage records and asked to look at rosters. Some of those alleged to be working long hours for minimal cash payments are workers on the controversial 457 visas. "The audit in Warrnambool was sparked by the receipt by our Warrnambool office of credible information from the community about potential exploitation of young workers," said the Workplace Ombudsman, Nicholas Wilson. It is understood that some of the allegations may include intimidation and other forms of harassment. Others are believed to relate to overseas students at the Warrnambool campus of Deakin University.
© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald
