Young Illawarra workers allegedly underpaid thousands of dollars by their employers will have their back-pay cases fast-tracked.
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A two-month Fairfax Media investigation into the underpayment of workers aged 18 to 24, revealed in Saturday’s Mercury, uncovered claims of exploitation in cafes, restaurants and shops across the region.
Thirteen workers shared their story as part of the investigation, a decision South Coast Labour Council (SCLC) secretary Arthur Rorris said showed “great courage and principle”.
“It’s a major step forward, not just for them but also for young workers everywhere,” Mr Rorris said.
“They are leading the charge here and they are doing something that employers would have thought young people were incapable of.”
Mr Rorris has vowed to personally take on each employee’s case to ensure the money workers say they are owed goes “back where it belongs” – in their pockets.
“We will support them, we will ensure that not only they get what they’re entitled to, but that they’re not adversely affected by the brave actions that they’ve undertaken,” he said. “They serve as a role model for young people everywhere.”
The SCLC has begun contacting each of the 13 workers again to determine just how much money they might be owed.
Mr Rorris didn’t want to speculate on the amount of backpay being sought on behalf of the affected workers, given it would prejudice their cases.
“We’re talking, in at least some of these cases, thousands of dollars each,” he said.
“We’re talking significant amounts of money and if you’re to use that as some sort of a base and a guide as to what is happening out there … this is just going to be a massive, massive case of retrieving unpaid wages for these workers.”
The SCLC, the region’s peak union body, has also vowed to focus on creating awareness about young workers’ rights at work.
Mr Rorris said there was a need to ensure a worker’s first experience at work was “not an exploitative one and [not] one that leaves them out of pocket”.
“That is not the kind of country and not the kind of future we want for our young people,” he said.
An Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) hotline and website have been set-up to enable workers across the country to check their pay rates and entitlements.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: Read each of the 13 workers’ stories
DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE?: Contact us in confidence at cos@illawarramercury.com.au
THINK YOU’VE BEEN UNDERPAID?: Call the Claim Your Pay hotline on 1300 486 466 or visit claimyourpay.com.au
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
