Red Rooster Wodonga and Cold Rock Shepparton to face court over alleged child employment breaches
Two well-known fast food chains in regional Victoria are facing criminal charges after alleged breaches of the state’s child employment laws.
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Two well-known fast food businesses in regional Victoria are facing hundreds of charges after allegedly breaching child labor laws.
Wage Inspectorate Victoria, the state’s child employment watchdog, has filed 355 charges against Red Rooster Wodonga (Wodonga Food Pty Ltd) and 124 charges against Cold Rock Shepparton (G & K Pearse Pty Ltd).
Red Rooster Wodonga has been charged for allegedly employing 10 kids under 15 without permits on 168 occasions, allegedly failing to correctly supervise, allegedly employing kids for more hours than they are supposed to work and allegedly employing them past 9pm.
The matter has been listed for mention in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today, Tuesday May 16.
The charges filed against Cold Rock Shepparton relate to the employment of six children.
The Wage Inspectorate alleges the business breached the Child Employment Act 2003 by employing children for more hours than permitted to work, employing them later than 9pm and failing to provide a 30 minute break every three hours.
The matter has been listed for mention in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 1.
Each business could face more than $18,000 in fines for each of the alleged offences.
The charges against Red Rooster Wodonga and Cold Rock Shepparton come after Muffin Break Southland was served with 360 criminal charges for alleged child employment breaches.
Wage Inspectorate Victoria commissioner Robert Hortle said people would be “disappointed” to hear of the allegations.
“These are the type of businesses where many kids get their first job, so people rightly expect them to have a strong focus on creating a safe workplace for kids, which is what child employment laws help ensure,” he said.
“Kids under 15 don’t always recognise risks in the workplace and some don’t feel able to speak up when they feel unsafe. Child employment laws help ensure the employer understands the risks and puts measures in place to keep young staff safe”.
Victorian employment laws require children under 15 to obtain Wage Inspectorate permits.
During a school term, children can be employed for a maximum of three hours a day and 12 hours per week, with this increased to six hours a day and 30 hours a week during holidays.
Children can also only work between 6am and 9pm.
A Red Rooster spokesman said:
“We are very disappointed to learn of these charges.
“The matter is still before the court. However, the alleged details of this matter represent a serious breach of our policies, and in accordance with the Franchising Code of Conduct, may lead to the termination of the franchisee‘s contract.”
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