Workplace inspectors have converged on Sydney’s Flemington Markets, after auditing eight businesses employing 300 workers at the Sydney Fish Markets last week.
The random audits of about 1000 businesses are part of a national campaign by the Federal Workplace Ombudsman to scrutinise food services industries and ensure staff aren’t being underpaid.
Other employers being targeted include retail and wholesale poultry and seafood suppliers, grocers, small goods stores, bakeries, butchers, dairy producers, coffee shops and take-away food outlets.
If any laws have been breached, employers will initially get the chance to solve the matter. However, if it ends up in court, they could be fined up to $33,000.
The Workplace Ombudsman recovered more than $36.6 million for almost 28,000 Australian workers last financial year.