MOS Burger Australia underpaid 285 workers in six Queensland stores more than $1m, court hears

Almost 300 staff at six Queensland outlets of a popular burger chain have been underpaid to the tune of more than $1 million over a seven-year period, a court has heard.

A JAPANESE burger chain has back-paid more than $1 million to Queensland workers.

MOS Burger Australia underpaid 285 workers across the company’s six Queensland stores between 2011 and 2018, says the Fair Work Ombudsman.

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A Fair Work investigation into the company found it had paid unlawfully low flat rates to workers, and misclassified some employees as part-time when they were actually casual staff.

Workers were employed to make food, serve customers, and as store supervisors and managers at outlets in Brisbane, Surfers Paradise, Southport, Broadbeach, Mt Gravatt and Sunnybank.

Individual underpayments ranged from $18 to $31,975.

Fair Work said the company has rectified all unpaid wages and superannuation, and paid an additional 7 per cent compensation to workers.

As a result of the investigation MOS Burgers Australia must fund external auditors to check pay and conditions for workers employed in 2019 and 2020 and rectify any underpayments.

Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker noted the company’s prompt action to resolve the matter.

MOS Burger Australia underpaid 285 workers across the company’s six Queensland stores. Picture: AAP/ Ric Frearson