Service stations CEO ‘involved’ in underpayment of 22 workers

Westside Petroleum’s CEO has been accused of being involved in the underpayment of 22 workers.

The petrol stations were controlled by the company, not franchisees, and workers allegedly underpaid $347 to $7772, with four of the employees aged 19.

The chief executive of service station chain Westside Petroleum has been accused by the workplace regulator of being involved in the alleged underpayment of 22 workers across 12 petrol stations in regional NSW.

The Fair Work Ombudsman alleged CEO Patrick Riad, company accountant Francesco Ieraci and area manager Shahzaib Khawaja were involved in the company’s breaches that resulted in underpayments totalling $62,393 over 10 months.

In a statement of claim, the ombudsman alleged workers were told they would be paid as little as $18 an hour but were entitled to $25.05 an hour on weekdays, $32.56 an hour on weekends and public holidays, and an additional $14.21 for overtime hours.

The petrol stations were controlled by the company, not franchisees, and workers allegedly underpaid $347 to $7772, with four of the employees aged 19.

The ombudsman alleged Mr Riad was aware of the practice of quoting a net rate of $18 per hour during the hiring of employees, and knew the payments would not meet the award minimum.

The ombudsman alleged Mr Riad “aided, abetted, counselled or procured” the contraventions.

Westside Petroleum said “a number of retail employees at some Westside Petroleum service stations in NSW were regrettably underpaid during 2015 and 2016”.

“Westside Petroleum has been assisting the Fair Work Ombudsman in their investigation and has also been reviewing the cause of this matter,’’ it said. “Westside Petroleum can confirm that all affected employees have been paid their full award entitlements.”

The matter is listed for a directions hearing on April 12.