Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
27 Jan 2010
Lockyer Valley farm allegedly underpaid seven
Japanese workers $28,000
The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a prosecution against a Lockyer Valley
business and two of its directors for allegedly underpaying seven Japanese fruit
and vegetable pickers more than $28,000.
Facing court is Nu Life Organic Farms Pty Ltd, which formerly operated a
cucumber farm at Grantham.
The Agency is also prosecuting Nu Life Directors Trevor John Bell and Peter John
Hill, both of Mt Gravatt, who were involved in running the Grantham farm.
Documents lodged in the Federal Magistrate’s Court in Brisbane allege Nu Life
underpaid seven Japanese nationals a total of $28,028 between May and
September, 2008.
The non-English speaking employees were in Australia on working holiday visas
and were employed as casual workers.
The Fair Work Ombudsman claims the workers were paid about $8.50 an hour but
should have received almost $17.
The alleged underpayments of individual workers range from $1494 to $5015.
It is also alleged Nu Life failed to keep proper employment records and breached
its obligations to pay the workers at least fortnightly.
Fair Work Ombudsman Queensland Director Julie Wade says the decision to
prosecute was made because of the significant amount involved for vulnerable
workers and the employer’s failure to rectify the matter.
“Underpaying international workers is a very serious matter,” Ms Wade said.
Nu Life, Mr Bell and Mr Hill allegedly committed multiple breaches of workplace
laws.
The maximum penalty per breach is $33,000 for Nu Life and $6600 for Mr Bell
and Mr Hill for the alleged underpayment contraventions - and $5500 for Nu Life
and $1100 for Mr Bell and Mr Hill for the alleged record contraventions.
The case is listed for a directions hearing on February 4.
Employers or employees seeking assistance should contact the Fair Work Infoline
Media: Craig Bildstien, 0419 818 484. craig.bildstien@fwo.gov.au
Ryan Pedler, (03) 9954 2561, 0434 365 924. ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
