The Fair Work Ombudsman has reported that 2018-19 was a record year for recovering workers’ wages, hosting online visits to its resources and enforcing the workplace laws.
The Ombudsman’s annual report revealed that Fair Work Inspectors recovered more than $40 million for 18,000 under-paid employees — the highest total recoveries figure in the regulator’s history.
It also resolved more than 29,000 workplace disputes between workers and businesses; there were a record 17.8 million visits to the Fair Work website to access information; and the Infoline answered 380,000 calls from workers and employers.
Fair Work Ombudsman, Sandra Parker said the Agency’s achievements showed its commitment to promoting harmonious, productive, cooperative and compliant workplace relations.
“I am extremely proud of the Agency’s work resolving employment disputes throughout the year, which has helped return wages to workers and kept employment relationships intact,” Ms Parker said.
“In line with our priorities, we will continue our important work educating employers and employees, targeting high-risk industries, protecting vulnerable workers and improving compliance across Australian workplaces in the year ahead.”
She urged employers to actively check whether they were paying their staff correctly.
“We will take enforcement action against employers who break the law,” Ms Parker said, noting that her office had 67 matters before the courts as of 30 June, in many cases alleging exploitation of vulnerable workers.
“More than 80 per cent of new litigations involve protecting migrant workers, with the Agency securing court penalties of $1.8 million in matters including this cohort.” She said.
The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Annual Report 2018-19 can be accessed at this PS News link.
