Strawberry Point, Forest Hill, fined in court for underpaying international student

A Forest Hill green grocer has skimmed thousands of dollars off a young international student’s pay packet, only agreeing to pay the money back after being hauled before court.

Strawberry Point, which has since closed, was fined for underpaying a 21-year-old international student.

A Forest Hill green grocer has been fined after underpaying a young Indian international student.

Strawberry Point, which has since closed, underpaid a 21-year-old international student over a 12-month period beginning in May 2021.

The student reported the underpayment to the Fair Work Ombudsman, which sparked an investigation into the green grocer.

The sole store owner Ashvinkumar Mavjibhai Chavan and his business failed to comply with a compliance notice from the ombudsman’s office requiring him to calculate and back pay the young worker.

Mr Chavan did not back pay the worker until legal action commenced, managing to pay the young worker $5474.

The company was fined $6600 for failing to comply with the order, and Mr Chavan was personally fined $1332.

Judge Janine Young found Mr Chavan and his business had “demonstrated a disregard for their obligations” and said there was a need to impose penalties to deter them and other employers from underpaying vulnerable students.

Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said taking action to prevent young workers is a top priority. Picture: Paul Hermes

Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said legal action would be taken against employers who underpaid their workers and who failed to comply with backpay requirements.

“Employers should also be aware that taking action to protect young and migrant workers is among our top priorities,” she said.

“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance.”