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Red Rooster Wodonga and Cold Rock Shepparton now face the Magistrates Court of Victoria over the breaches of child employment laws.
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Two Victorian businesses face almost 500 child worker charges
18 May 2023
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Two rural Victorian businesses have been served with almost 500 child employment charges for contravening the Child Employment Act 2003.
Wodonga Food Pty Ltd, which traded as Red Rooster Wodonga, faces 355 charges against it by Wage Inspectorate Victoria, the state’s child employment watchdog.
The regulator alleged the business contravened the act by:
- Employing 10 children under the age of 15 without a permit on 168 occasions
- Failing to ensure the children were supervised by someone with a working with children clearance
- Employing children for more hours than they were permitted to work
- Employing children later than 9pm
The Wage Inspectorate also filed 124 charges against G & K Pearse Pty Ltd, which traded as Cold Rock Shepparton, regarding the employment of six children.
In the charges, the regulator alleged there were breaches of the act by:
- Employing children for more hours than they were permitted to work
- Employing children later than 9pm
- Failing to provide a rest break of at least 30 minutes after every three hours of work
The maximum penalty for each transgression was 100 penalty units according to the watchdog, which equalled $18,174 for offences in the 2021–22 financial year and $18,429 for faults in the 2022–23 financial year.
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Commissioner of Wage Inspectorate Victoria Robert Hortle said the findings were disheartening, particularly since they involved well-known franchises.
“Victorians will be disappointed to see these household names facing allegations of breaching child employment laws,” said Mr Hortle.
“These are the type of businesses where many kids get their first job, so people rightly expect them to have a strong focus on creating a safe workplace for kids, which is what child employment laws help ensure.”
“Kids under 15 don’t always recognise risks in the workplace and some don’t feel able to speak up when they feel unsafe. Child employment laws help ensure the employer understands the risks and puts measures in place to keep young staff safe.”
The action taken against Red Rooster Wodonga and Cold Rock Shepparton came after Muffin Break Southland was served with 360 criminal charges for alleged child employment breaches.
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