La La Bar Group raids: Fair Work Ombudsman audits trendy Chapel St bars as union eyes next target

Several Chapel St bars and restaurants have been raided by the Fair Work Ombudsman after more claims of hospitality workers being underpaid.

La La Land bar on Chapel St was one of six La La Bar Group venues raided by the Fair Work Ombudsman on July 31. Picture: Supplied

Tenacious hospitality union Hospo Voice is preparing to expose another major Melbourne hospitality group suspected of wage theft after its investigations led to government raids at several trendy Chapel St bars.

The Fair Work Ombudsman pulled the surprise raids at La La Bar Group-linked venues — Electric, Holy Grail, Wonderland, Lucky Liquor, La La Land and Jane Doe Bar — in Prahran and Windsor on Wednesday evening last week.

The Ombudsman audited the venues after allegations employees were underpaid, denied overtime and paid in cash were referred on by the union last May.

The results won’t be known until the Ombudsman completes its investigation but Hospo Voice is chalking the raids up as a win alongside other big scalps George Calombaris, Dinner at Heston and Neil Perry and Rockpool Group.

The Leader also revealed union allegations staff at city eateries Hochi Mama and Straight Outta Saigon were mistreated and underpaid as little as $5 an hour were referred to the Ombudsman last month.

An investigation into the management of those venues is underway.

Hospo Voice is also pushing for an outcome on the Chin Chin wage theft scandal.

Leader understands the union is investigating widespread wage theft claims at another well known hospitality group, which cannot be named for legal reasons.

Union spokesman Ben Redford said members would “hold any employer that steals workers’ wages directly to account, online and in the streets”.

He welcomed the La La Bar Group raids but was “concerned” it took the Ombudsman three months to act.

Jane Doe Bar was one of six venues linked to the La La Bar Group raided by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

“If La La Bar Group wanted to destroy evidence, their shredding machines have had a full three-month head start,” said Mr Redford.

The Ombudsman raided the venues after it received 20 inquiries, six anonymous reports and several other complaints.

Inspectors interviewed staff and management at all six venues and reviewed documents including staff pay slips, rosters and employment records.

Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said the audits would “help determine if there are workplace issues within the La La Bar Group that need addressing”.

“The intelligence we have received about potentially unlawful treatment of staff at the La La Bar Group is concerning which is why we have taken this action,” she said.

“We will carefully review the evidence we have gathered, including during last (Wednesday) night’s audits, to determine if there are any breaches of Australia’s workplace laws.

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“If we do uncover breaches, we will work to recover any entitlements owed to staff and also consider what enforcement action is necessary.”

La La Bar Group has been contacted for comment.

Anyone who is concerned about a breach of workplace laws can contact fairwork.gov.au

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