Government ‘must protect young workers’

That’s the question an Illawarra unionist wants the Turnbull government to answer, after a Fairfax Media investigation uncovered dozens of young workers allegedly underpaid – or not paid at all – by their employers. 

Thirteen workers from the hospitality sector shared their stories in Saturday’s Mercury following the investigation, which was sparked by University of Wollongong graduate Ashleigh Mounser. 

After using a Facebook post to vent about being paid $10 per hour to work in a Wollongong takeaway shop, Ms Mounser was overwhelmed by similar complaints from 67 young workers over a period of just a few days. 

South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris has since vowed to prioritise the back-pay investigations for each of the 13 people who spoke publicly.

Mr Rorris has also turned his attention to the federal government and the Minister for Employment, Michaelia Cash.

“The real question is: what have they done to protect young people like these,” he said. 

Despite the majority of employers understanding their “most basic responsibilities”, Mr Rorris said “there may be cases where employers are led to believe that this [underpayment] is OK”.

“That raises other questions about what the federal government is doing to give the impression to employers they have either a green light to do these things, or the government will turn a blind eye, or it’s not something they’re going to pursue,” he said.

The Mercury contacted Ms Cash’s office for comment and was directed to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

A spokesman indicated a response from the minister would be provided. No response was received from either department by deadline.

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