UNDERPAYMENTS to roofers, hairdressers, shop assistants and vet assistants have been exposed after complaints to the State Government and workplace inspectors.

In the 12 months to June, $4 million in back pay and entitlements were recovered, averaging $700 for each worker, across 1948 separate cases.

In all, 1500 employers breached state industrial relations laws and had to back pay their staff.

Four employees of a take-away food shop in Winston Hills shared $21,317 in underpaid wages; in Penrith, a music store underpaid overtime to three shop assistants totalling $10,903; at a Blacktown veterinarian, underpaid overtime of $6800 was paid to six employees; and $3352 of underpaid wages and entitlements went to three shop assistants in Pennant Hills. Three female employees received $3711 in underpaid wages at a North Richmond hair salon; and $7329 in underpaid wages, penalty and overtime rates went to five Parramatta restaurant workers.

”Most bosses do the right thing but it is important we have inspectors on the beat,” said the state’s Minster for Industrial Relations, John Hatzistergos.

“Most employers want to do the right thing but sometimes they are unaware of some of their obligations.”

After opening an office in western Sydney, the Office of Industrial Relations launched a series of workplace inspections which uncovered back pay owed of more than $640,000, up from $291,000 a year earlier.

The Office of Industrial Relations completed more than 12,500 workplace inspections last financial year and followed up more than 1200 complaints.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald