The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the former owner-operator of an electrical services company in Sydney's Bankstown, alleging he was involved in breaches affecting two young workers.
Facing court is Hassan Korkomaz, who was the owner-operator of Electro Power Group Pty Ltd.
The Fair Work Ombudsman received requests for assistance from two young workers Mr Korkomaz's company employed as electrical workers on a casual basis.
A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice to Mr Korkomaz's company in October 2023 after forming a belief it had underpaid one of the workers when it employed him for four weeks in May-June, 2023. The worker was aged 20 at the time.
The inspector formed a belief Mr Korkomaz's company had paid the worker less than 15 per cent of the combined casual minimum wages and overtime entitlements the worker was entitled to under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020.
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges Mr Korkomaz was involved in his company, without a reasonable excuse, failing to comply with the Compliance Notice, which required the calculation and back-payment of the worker's outstanding minimum entitlements.
It is alleged the total amount the company was required to pay the worker to comply with the Compliance Notice was $7,855.
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges that Mr Korkomaz was also involved in underpayment contraventions in relation to the other worker, who was aged 18 when Mr Korkomaz's company employed him for two days in 2025.
It is alleged Mr Korkomaz's company paid the worker nothing for the work he performed on the basis that it was an 'unpaid trial'. The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges that worker was entitled, under the same Award, to be paid $674 in casual minimum wages and overtime entitlements.
The company went into liquidation in 2025.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said business operators allegedly involved in breaching workplace laws need to be aware that they can be pursued in court even in circumstances where their company has been wound up.
"Employers need to be aware that taking action to protect potentially vulnerable workers, including young workers, is among our top priorities," Ms Booth said.
"We are prepared to take court action to hold individuals to account if we allege they are involved in breaches.
"Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance. They can also contact their union if they are a member."
The Fair Work Ombudsman is seeking penalties in Court. Mr Korkomaz faces penalties of up to $9,390 for the alleged involvement in the Compliance Notice breach and up to $18,780 per contravention for the alleged involvement in the underpayment of the 18-year-old worker.
The Fair Work Ombudsman will seek a court order that any penalties imposed against Mr Korkomaz be distributed to the two affected workers to rectify the alleged underpayments.
A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Sydney on 5 August 2026.
The Fair Work Ombudsman filed 88 litigations involving an alleged accessory in the two years to June 2025. The FWO secured total penalties of $5,143,749 against accessories across the same timeframe.
In 2024-25, the FWO secured total court penalties of more than $870,000 for failures to comply with Compliance Notices.
