Fair Work Ombudsman investigating if Bradley Wells of Attain Solutions Pty Ltd failed to pay labourer

The Fair Work Ombudsman has begun legal action against a southeast Queensland contractor who allegedly failed to pay a teenage worker before it went into liquidation.

THE Fair Work Ombudsman has begun legal action against a contractor who allegedly failed to pay a teenage worker.

In proceedings lodged in the Federal Circuit Court, the watchdog claims 18-year-old Amoroa Tawera is owed $3,945 in wages, casual loadings, overtime and allowances for 150 hours work as a labourer.

Queensland subcontractors owed $500 million across 50 building company collapses since 2013

Subbies duped as Government payment promises turn to denials after collapse of JM Kelly Project Builders

Court probe into $52m builder collapse

Bradley Wells, sole director of Sunshine Coast business Attain Solutions Pty Ltd, which went into liquidation last year, also faces penalties of up to $10,800 for each of seven alleged contraventions of the fair Work Act.

The Ombudsman says Mr Tawera was employed digging trenches and laying pipes for the company which provided civil works for contractors on the national broadband network rollout in June 2017.

“Young workers can be particularly vulnerable to exploitation because they are often unaware of their entitlements or reluctant to complain, Ombudsman Sandra Parker said.

“Any employer that fails to comply with their fundamental obligation to pay wages for work performed will face serious consequences.”