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The Fair Work Ombudsman has identified a region in Australia where it believes workplaces may have some vulnerabilities, threatening significant consequences for those “deliberately flouting” the law.
Regulator names new audit plans as complaints spike
16 August 2017
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5 minute read
About 200 businesses in the south-east of South Australia are set for compliance checks as part of Fair Work Ombudsman's latest compliance campaign.
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Specifically, areas around Mount Gambier, Renmark and Murray Bridge are set to be audited.
The scope of the checks by industry will include retail trade, accommodation and food services sectors.
A number of factors have contributed to the regulator’s decision, including that the region has a “large number” of employees in low-skilled work, and the region has the highest rate of disputes lodged by visa holders Australia-wide.
Over the two financial years from 2014-15 to 2015-16, Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said her agency had recovered over $320,000 in back-pay for 179 workers in the region.
"Where businesses refuse to co-operate with my agency, or where our inspectors identify instances of serious or deliberate non-compliance, we will ensure that appropriate action is taken to enforce the law," Ms James said.
"Employers must be aware that deliberately flouting workplace laws can result in significant consequences."
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