The Valley Pizza’s former owner could cop a second helping of fines due to allegedly underpaying worker

A former Barossa Valley takeaway shop owner has found themselves in hot water after being accused of underpaying a casual worker – again.

A former owner of a defunct Barossa Valley takeaway shop is facing a $6600 fine after allegedly refusing to pay back a casual worker’s proper wage entitlements.

Ziad Andary, who used to co-own The Valley Pizza in Nuriootpa, will face court for a second time after the Fair Work Ombudsman alleged he underpaid a casual employee for months.

Due to face the Federal Circuit Court in May, Mr Andary was this week issued with a compliance notice from Fair Work Australia.

The notice came after the employee alleged they were not paid their proper entitlements under the Fast Food Industry Award 2010.

This is the second time Mr Andary has been accused of underpaying workers.

He was taken to court for underpaying another worker in 2019 and 2020, where he was subsequently fined $3500 last year.

The Valley Pizza in Nuriootpa, who have been accused of underpaying another worker. Picture: Facebook

The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges the businessman failed to adhere to a compliance notice to calculate and repay the second worker’s entitlements.

He now faces a maximum fine of $6600.

Fair Work is seeking a court order for Mr Andary to take the action required by the compliance notice, which includes paying the worker the alleged underpayments including superannuation and interest.

“Where employers do not comply, we will take appropriate action to protect employees,” Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said.

“A court can order a business to pay penalties in addition to back-paying workers.”