Wheat farm faces $33,000 fine for wage underpayment
A NSW wheat farm is facing fines of more than $33,000 for allegedly underpaying wages and entitlements.
A NSW wheat farm is facing court for allegedly not paying a worker minimum wage and entitlements.
The Fair Work Ombudsman announced it had started legal action against Carinda operator Printpot Pty Ltd on Monday.
The company, based in far north NSW, faces a penalty of up to $33,300.
The charge comes after a worker employed at the farm contacted the ombudsman for help.
They were employed full-time as a farmhand from July 2018 to February 2020, and the Fair Work inspector has alleged they were underpaid minimum wages and annual leave entitlements.
The company was issued a compliance notice by the regulator in July 2021, requiring it to
calculate and back-pay the worker’s entitlements.
The ombudsman has alleged Printpot, without reasonable excuse, failed to comply with the notice.
“Where employers do not comply, we will take appropriate action to protect employees. A
court can order a business to pay penalties in addition to back-paying workers,” Fair Work ombudsman Sandra Parker said in a statement.
The regulator is seeking fines of up to $33,300, backpay of the alleged underpayment, amount interest and superannuation.
A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Sydney on 14 April
2023.
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