Chinese company fined by Fair Work for failing to pay workers on time
Tuesday 3 September 2013 @ 8.47 a.m. | Industrial Law
A Chinese company has been fined almost $15,000 by Fair Work Australia for not paying workers quickly enough.
China Sanan Engineering Construction Corporation, which dismantled equipment at a former Mitsubishi workplace in Adelaide, was originally suspected of paying workers below the minimum wage. During court proceedings, the company was cleared of underpaying its staff - however, it was discovered that it had failed to pay workers on time.
Businesses must pay workers within the timeframe stipulated by their industry award - generally every month or every two weeks. An award is a legal document that sets out minimum wages and conditions for an industry or occupation. The conditions in awards apply on top of the minimum conditions in the National Employment Standards under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
Federal Circuit Court judge Denys Simpson said in the judgment that foreign companies must comply with Australian workplace laws.
“The penalty must send a clear message not only to the respondent but also to other businesses or individuals who wish to send employees to Australia to work: They must inform themselves about Australian industrial laws and fully comply."
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