Cade Lucas
A Tarneit painting business has been ordered to pay nearly $80,000 in penalties, compensation and entitlements for breaching the Fair Work Act following the unfair dismissal of an international student.
Paint Splash were ordered to pay $57,000 in penalties by The Federal Circuit and Family Court on Thursday after it was found to have breached the act by failing to pay compensation and outstanding pay and entitlements to the former employee.
Paint Splash’s parent company Mehtaab Group Pty Ltd were penalised $47,952 and sole shareholder and director Vikramjeet Singh Khalsa $9,590.04.
In addition, the company will have to pay the worker more than $21,000 in outstanding compensation, plus the amount of pay and entitlements she is still owed.
Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said the outcome sends a strong message to both employers and employees.
“The Fair Work Ombudsman is prepared to take legal action to ensure that employees receive all compensation and entitlements they are lawfully entitled to.
Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact the FWO for free advice and assistance.”
The investigation began after the Indian international student sought assistance from the Fair Work Ombudsman after her dismissal from Mehtaab Group where she had worked for almost 12 months.
After being found to have unfairly dismissed the employee by the Fair Work Commision, the company’s failure to pay compensation or comply with a compliance notice to award her outstanding pay and entitlements, resulted in the Fair Work Ombudsman taking Mehtaab Group to court.
