Three Sydney men were fined $45,000 after underpaying a migrant employee the equivalent of 93 weeks’ wages over a period of almost four years – they had previously been put on notice after three prior underpayment allegations.

The employee worked between Save and Deliver pharmacies at Liverpool and Mt Druitt. A second employee working at a Save and Deliver in Shellharbour was also underpaid.

NSW Labor has committed to implementing stronger deterrents, as current penalties are not tough enough.

Labor has a five point plan to eliminate the exploitation of vulnerable workers and crack down on businesses that underpay their staff. It is as follows:

• A new wage theft law to criminalise the deliberate failure to pay wages and entitlements;
• New laws to hold head franchisors accountable for the actions of franchisees;
• Widened powers for workplace inspectors to undertake wage audits;
• A licensing scheme for labour hire companies, forcing them to comply with labour laws and ensuring they provide safe, fair and reasonable work conditions; and
• New laws to protect Sunday penalty rates in all state awards and agreements.

Labor Leader in the Legislative Council and Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Adam Searle today said:

“It’s clear that the systematic exploitation of workers continues to impact employees all around the State.

“We need stronger laws and better enforcement, because there are still a number of unscrupulous employers that aren’t getting the message.

“NSW Labor will deliver a new wage theft law to criminalise the deliberate failure to pay wages and other entitlements.”