Friday, May 3, 2024
ADVT 
International

Aus biz operator fined $30k for not paying Indian worker

Darpan News Desk IANS, 13 Dec, 2022 03:49 PM
  • Aus biz operator fined $30k for not paying Indian worker

Melbourne, Dec 13 (IANS) A vehicle repair business operator in Australia has been fined AU$30,000 for not paying back-pay entitlements to a worker from India, the court said.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court imposed the penalty against Bhangu Pty Ltd., which operates a business trading as Rehaan Automotive Care, based in Archerfield, a suburb in the city of Brisbane.

The penalty was imposed last week in response to Bhangu Pty Ltd. failing to comply with a compliance notice by Australian regulatory authority Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO).

The FWO notice required the company to calculate and back-pay entitlements to a visa-holder worker from India, who was employed as a full-time motor mechanic between February 2017 and February 2018.

Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said in a statement that business operators that fail to act on compliance notices need to be aware they can face penalties in court on top of having to back-pay workers.

"When compliance notices are not followed, we are prepared to take legal action to ensure workers receive their lawful entitlements," Parker added.

"Employers should also be aware that taking action to protect vulnerable employees, such as migrant workers, is a priority for the agency. Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance," she said in an FWO statement.

The FWO investigated after receiving a request for assistance from the Indian worker and issued compliance notice to Bhangu Pty Ltd. in September 2021.

It found that the worker had been underpaid minimum wages and annual leave entitlements, owed under the Vehicle Manufacturing, Repair, Services and Retail Award and the Fair Work Act's National Employment Standards.

Thereafter, it secured a $30,000 penalty in court against the operator of the vehicle repair and maintenance business in Brisbane.

The court has also ordered the company to take the steps required by the FWO compliance notice, which includes back-paying the worker in full, plus superannuation and interest.

MORE International ARTICLES

Trump set to announce his candidacy for 2024 presidential run amid stiff opposition from GOP

Trump set to announce his candidacy for 2024 presidential run amid stiff opposition from GOP
Trump had said at the start of polling on November 8 midterms he would make an important announcement on November 15. But the Republicans are thinking in terms of Ron DeSantis, the Florida hero, and former VP Mike Pence with his own plans for a run, embittered by Trump calling him a "wimp".

Trump set to announce his candidacy for 2024 presidential run amid stiff opposition from GOP

Indian-American woman, 23 year old Nabeela Syed, becomes youngest member of Illinois General Assembly

Indian-American woman, 23 year old Nabeela Syed, becomes youngest member of Illinois General Assembly
In the US midterm elections, Syed came out victorious over her Republican rival Chris Bos. Syed shared her excitement, joy, and disbelief all at the same time on Twitter. She is the youngest person to be part of the Illinois General Assembly.  

Indian-American woman, 23 year old Nabeela Syed, becomes youngest member of Illinois General Assembly

Big midterms winner? Democracy, say ambassadors

Big midterms winner? Democracy, say ambassadors
Both David Cohen, Washington's envoy in Ottawa, and Kirsten Hillman, the top Canadian diplomat in D.C., say strong voter turnout is a sign of health in the U.S. political system. The final outcome remains to be determined. 

Big midterms winner? Democracy, say ambassadors

Sikh prayer books issued to UK military personnel after 100 yrs

Sikh prayer books issued to UK military personnel after 100 yrs
The prayer books have been printed in three languages in durable and waterproof material to withstand the rigours of military life, said the BBC report. While the British Army Gutka has a camouflage cover, the Royal Navy and RAF Gutka has a navy blue one.

Sikh prayer books issued to UK military personnel after 100 yrs

Indian national in US gets 5 years jail for call centre fraud

Indian national in US gets 5 years jail for call centre fraud
Waseem Maknojiya, who was illegally residing in Houston, had pleaded guilty on September 13, 2021, a press statement by the US Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Texas said. On Tuesday, US District Judge Lynn N. Hughes ordered Maknojiya to serve 60 months in federal prison. 

Indian national in US gets 5 years jail for call centre fraud

1 in 6 people in England, Wales born abroad, mostly India: Census

1 in 6 people in England, Wales born abroad, mostly India: Census
The number of foreign-born residents increased by 2.5 million over the decade to 10 million.  India was the most common country of origin, accounting for 920,000 people, which is 1.5 per cent of the usual resident population, the 2021 census showed.

1 in 6 people in England, Wales born abroad, mostly India: Census