Taiwanese backpackers short-changed packing infant formula for lucrative Chinese market
21 March 2016
Two Taiwanese backpackers working for a dairy company were short-changed almost $7400 over three months, a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation has found.
The casual workers, in Australia on 417 working holiday visas, were underpaid $3696 each while packing infant formula destined for the lucrative Chinese market.
They were paid a flat rate of $15 an hour at the Toora, South Gippsland factory of Viplus Dairy Pty Ltd.
They should have been paid $21.09 for normal hours worked, but the company told the Fair Work Ombudsman that in addition to the $15, it provided the workers with free accommodation and utilities.
The workers, who have since returned to Taiwan, were underpaid while working at the factory for 92 days from January 12 to April 14 last year.
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated the after the couple, who spoke limited English and communicated with Fair Work inspectors via an interpreter, contacted the Agency in July last year.
Viplus Dairy has now signed an Enforceable Undertaking to encourage behavioural change and ensure future compliance with its workplace obligations.
Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James says the employer co-operated with the investigation, repaid the employees and has revised its workplace practices.
She said all employees working in Australia, including visa-holders, were entitled to minimum wages which were not negotiable.
She encouraged employers with any uncertainty about their workplace obligations to visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website at www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for advice.
An interpreter service is available by calling 13 14 50, and information on the website is translated into 27 languages.
The Fair Work Ombudsman currently has a national Inquiry into the wages and conditions of 417 working holiday visa-holders in Australia.
The Agency is now receiving more requests for assistance from visa-holders than ever before, with requests from visa-holders accounting for almost 12 per cent of all requests lodged last financial year.
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Media inquiries:
Lara O'Toole, Media Adviser
Mobile: 0439 835 855
lara.otoole@fwo.gov.au
Annie Lawson, Media Adviser
Mobile: 0466 522 004
annie.lawson@fwo.gov.au
