More than 90 Ekka workers underpaid: watchdog

Date
    July 27, 2012


More than 90 Sideshow Alley workers were underpaid during last year's Ekka, an audit by the Fair Work Ombudsman has found.       

The Fair Work Ombudsman has managed to recover $11,094 for 95 carnival workers underpaid an average of $116 each.

Of 57 stall holders audited by the ombudsman, six were found to be underpaying their employees.

"There was a high contravention rate in relation to the base rate of pay and other entitlements of musicians, entertainers, performers and creative artists," a spokesman for the ombudsman said.


In one case, a worker was paid the minimum part-time rate of $15.51 per hour over the 10-day show when they were entitled to the casual rate of $18.92 per hour.   

The ombudsman's office found many stall holders had only verbal working agreements with their employees.

But in the absence of a specific written agreement, the Travelling Show Award stipulates that a worker is deemed to be a casual employee.

Another three investigations are yet to be completed, because auditors have had difficulty contacting travelling stall holders.

The Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman decided to visit the Ekka after receiving a number of complaints from workers immediately after the 2008 and 2010 shows.   

Employers or employees seeking information and advice should visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.

Business owners can use the websites' PayCheckPlus and Award Finder services for assistance calculating their employee's wages.   


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/more-than-90-ekka-workers-underpaid-watchdog-20120727-22y0c.html#ixzz21rRKjEM0