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Operators of an Adelaide restaurant are now facing legal action for alleged underpayment offences after intentionally obstructing and misleading Fair Work inspectors from accessing wage records.
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Restaurant director faces court after ‘physically blocking’ access to wage records
27 February 2020
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CNL Group Pty Ltd, which operates the restaurant Gyoza Gyoza under a franchise agreement, its sole director Yu Bing Li and chef and manager Mingang Du are set to front the Federal Circuit Court for allegedly underpaying two former waitresses.
The waitresses — who were in Australia on working visas — requested assistance from Fair Work inspectors after CNL allegedly paid them rates as low as $12 an hour between April and August in 2018.
In total, CNL allegedly underpaid the two employees $10,517.43, which has since been mostly repaid.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is seeking the repayment of the remaining wages and civil penalties against CNL, Mrs Li and Mr Du.
Mrs Li is alleged to have intentionally hindered and obstructed inspectors by physically blocking an inspector from viewing time and wage records during a site visit last year, and then removing that record from the premises.
CNL is also alleged to have provided false and misleading pay records to inspectors, failed to comply with a Notice to Produce and failed to provide payslips in breach of the Fair Work Act.
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Mrs Li is alleged to be involved in providing false records to inspectors, not complying with a Notice to Produce and the payslip contraventions.
CNL faces maximum penalties of $63,000 per breach, and Mrs Li and Mr Du both face a maximum penalty of $12,600 per breach.
Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said visa holders are particularly susceptible to workplace exploitation.
“They can be scared of losing their jobs and visas, or are not familiar with Australia’s workplace rules. Visa holders have the same workplace rights as any other worker,” Ms Parker said.
“This action should serve as a warning to all businesses that our inspectors must be allowed to carry out their important duties to help protect employees and the system.”
A directions hearing has been listed in the Federal Circuit Court in Adelaide for 26 March 2020.
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