EATERY ACCUSED OF RIPPING OFF STAFF
A GOLD Coast Korean restaurant is in hot water after it allegedly took advantage of a trio of young international workers on holiday visas.
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges WS Natural Food Pty Ltd, which runs Southport Korean restaurant Sogongdong Tofu House in Nerang St, underpaid the workers their minimum wage rates.
WS Natural Food and sole director Seouk Woong Hong has also been accused of underpaying the food and beverage attendants weekend and public holiday casual loading and penalty rates for short periods of work performed between June-October last year.
The ombudsman stated its investigation was launched after it was asked to assist by former workers.
The ombudsman claims the company failed to comply with a Compliance Notice issued in May this year without a reasonable excuse.
The notice directed the company to calculate and back-pay staff entitlements.
The ombudsman stated it tried to take a “proportionate approach to regulation” in the COVID-19 pandemic and made “several attempts” to get the company to voluntarily comply before launching court proceedings.
Mr Hong faces a maxi
mum penalty of $6300 and WS Natural Food could be hit with a $31,500 fine.
The regulator is also seeking an order for the company to comply with the Compliance Notice, which includes rectifying underpayments in full, plus superannuation and interest.
Sogongdong Tofu House could not be contacted.