Former owners of Muffin Break Hobart underpaid staff

MUFFIN Break says it is working with the Fair Work Ombudsman to get more info about a case in which two Chinese workers at the company’s Murray St store were underpaid by almost $50,000.

Muffin Break says it is working with the Fair Work Ombudsman to get more information about a case where two Chinese workers at the company’s Murray St store were underpaid.

MUFFIN Break says it is working with the Fair Work Ombudsman to get more information about a case where two Chinese workers at the company’s Murray St store were underpaid to the tune of almost $50,000.

An investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman uncovered the underpayment of the two workers who were paid as little as $11 an hour over a period of about 20 months in 2014 and 2015.

At the time the Hobart store was operated as a partnership by husband-and-wife Zhuangzhi Zhang and Wanyu Huang.

Zhang and Huang sold the outlet earlier this year and the current operator of the store had no involvement in the underpayments.

Muffin Break Brand Manager John Macphail said the company was disappointed to hear of the incident at its franchise store in Hobart.

“The franchisee who operated the business at the time of the incident is no longer with the franchise, notwithstanding that we are following through with the Fair Work Ombudsman to clarify and seek further information about the nature of the underpayment,” Mr Macphail said.

“Foodco has a commitment to correct and compliant employment practices which include a structured process for review and investigation of employment matters raised in any of our stores.

“Staff have the ability to raise concerns directly with us and in confidence through our employment hotline to raise any concerns relating to their employment. We also provide additional support to our franchisees and their employees through industry memberships, workshops, online information and info line access.

“We demand our franchisees deliver on all of their employment obligations and are engaged with the Fair Work Ombudsman to participate in their proactive voluntary compliance program.”

Originally published as Former owners of Muffin Break Hobart underpaid staff