Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
3 Nov 2010
$12,600 recovered for WA Wheatbelt workers
Two workers in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt have been reimbursed $12,600
after recent investigations by the Fair Work Ombudsman found they were
underpaid.
The biggest underpayment was $7000 for a senior farm hand near Southern
Cross.
The worker lodged a complaint with the Fair Work Ombudsman after he was not
paid for all hours worked, annual leave entitlements or allowances on
termination.
After Fair Work inspectors contacted the property owner and explained the
employer’s obligations, the worker was fully reimbursed.
In a separate case, an apprentice at Merredin has been back-paid $5600 after
he was underpaid the minimum hourly rate, overtime allowances and annual
leave entitlements. Similarly, after inspectors contacted the employer, the
apprentice was back-paid in full.
Fair Work Ombudsman Executive Director Michael Campbell says that given the
employers co-operated and voluntarily rectified their respective contraventions,
there will be no further action against the companies.
Last financial year the Fair Work Ombudsman recouped a total of $2.65 million for
1634 Western Australians underpaid at work.
Mr Campbell says that in most cases, the Fair Work Ombudsman does not
prosecute employers for inadvertent breaches of workplace laws.
“We have a flexible, fair approach and our preference is always to work with
employers to educate them and help them voluntarily rectify any non-compliance
issues we identify,” he said.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has a number of tools on its website -
rates of pay.
Small to medium-sized businesses without human resources staff can also ensure
they are better equipped when hiring, managing and dismissing employees by
using free template employment documentation available online.
Online resources also include industry-specific web pages, payslip and record-
keeping templates, a self-audit checklist and fact sheets.
Employers and employees seeking advice or assistance should contact the Fair
Work Infoline on 13 13 94. Translations are available by calling 13 14 50.
Media inquiries:
Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Ryan Pedler, 0411 430 902, ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
