A Sydney plastics manufacturing company that underpaid two Sri Lankan visa holders has been penalised by the Federal Circuit Court after failing to meet a deadline to back-pay these workers.
Delahill Pty Ltd, which trades as ABCO Plastics at Guildford, has been penalised $15,000 and one of its directors, Guilherme Roque Rebello, $3,000 after legal action by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Fair Work Inspectors first investigated the company after two employees, a husband and wife, made requests for assistance.
The couple, aged in their 50s, were in Australia on bridging visas. Inspectors found the couple were paid low flat hourly rates, with each paid just $6.50 per hour during a probation period, later increasing to $13 to $14.
The couple were entitled to hourly rates of more than $17 for ordinary hours and up to $32 for overtime.