Restaurant manager in court for third time over wage theft
A former restaurant manager is in court for a third time for allegedly underpaying his staff.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has twice previously commenced litigation against Jia Ning Wang for wage theft.
Restaurant manager in court
Wang used the run the Fire and Stone Restaurant on Moreton Island at the Tangalooma Island Resort.
Fair Work alleges he underpaid nine staff a total of $2,239 between March and October last year.
The alleged wage theft involved Wang failing to pay legal minimum hourly rates, in addition to other entitlements.
Fair Work also accuses Wang of failing to keep proper records and failing to provide pay slips.
Third time restaurant manager in court
This is the third time Fair Work has taken legal action against Wang and his companies for wage theft.
Courts have twice previously imposed penalties against Wang and his companies.
Criminal penalties overdue
Industrial advocate Miles Heffernan said criminal penalties for wage theft are long overdue.
“Serial offenders like Mr Wang continue to steal their workers wages because they always get away with it,” he said.
“Financial penalties are clearly not working, therefore it’s time we charge bosses like Mr Wang with crimes and then lock them up.”
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Fair Work investigated after complaint
Fair Work commenced its latest investigation as a result of a wage theft complaint from one of the restaurant workers.
“The Fair Work Ombudsman is committed to holding business operators to account, particularly when disputes arise involving vulnerable workers. Australia’s minimum pay rates apply to everyone – they are not negotiable.”
Penalties
Meanwhile, Wang faces penalties of up to $12,600 for each breach and his company up to $63,000 for each breach.
Fair Work is also seeking orders requiring the company to provide workplace relations training for Wang.
The Federal Circuit Court in Brisbane has a directions hearing listed on 19 February 2019.
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