A Perth business owning a chain of high profile hairdressing salons has been issued a substantial infringement for underpaying three of its sponsored foreign workers.
The hairdressing business was fined $13,320 by Immigration Inspectors from the Australian Border Force (ABF) Sponsor Monitoring Unit, who also issued a formal warning for failing to notify ABF of the cessation of two other sponsored workers.
In the same week, the ABF issued a $6,660 infringement notice to a wheatbelt farming business for underpaying a sponsored worker since they started working for the farm three years ago.
As well as paying the infringement, the business reimbursed nearly $70,000 in back pay to the worker. In addition, a formal warning was issued after it was found the business recovered sponsorship expenses from the sponsored worker.
ABF Assistant Commissioner Emma Johnson said the ABF would not tolerate people making profits off the back of the exploitation of sponsored workers.
"We are always on the lookout for cases of sponsored workers being underpaid, deprived of entitlements, or treated poorly," Assistant Commissioner Johnson said.
"Sponsored workers play a crucial role in our economy, and their skills and experience help fill positions that can't otherwise be filled.
"On top of the unacceptable exploitation of those workers, it also disadvantages other businesses who do the right thing by paying and treating their sponsored workers properly."
Assistant Commissioner Johnson said ABF encouraged individuals who are being exploited, regardless of visa status, to come forward and provide information so action can be taken against those involved in these practices.
Anyone who is aware of an individual, business or employer who might be facilitating foreign worker exploitation or illegal work is urged to contact Border Watch . Reports can be made anonymously.
