Owners of Sinamon cafe chain penalised $31k for underpaying a young worker and failing to keep required employment records.
The owners of the Sinamon cafe chain in Perth have been penalised $31,000 for underpaying a young worker and failing to keep required employment records.
Sinamon - which specialises in cinnamon buns and sweet pastries - operates cafes in Victoria Park, Mt Lawley, Curtin University and Fremantle.
The WA Industrial Magistrates Court found owners Dr Ahmed El Sayed Imam (also known as "Abarai Mido") and Ms Yan Woon Desiree Hui underpaid the young university student who was working several jobs to make ends meet. The Court also found they failed to pay her any superannuation, and to keep employment records as required by the WA Industrial Relations Act.
The worker gave evidence that when she queried her rate of pay, the couple suggested she find another job if she was unhappy. The worker made a complaint to the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety, which subsequently brought proceedings in the Industrial Magistrates Court following an investigation by an industrial inspector.
This is the third time Dr Imam and Ms Hui have faced the Court. In 2021 they were penalised $14,300 for obstructing industrial inspectors, and in 2023 they were fined $89,800 for breaching court orders to produce employment records.
Imposing the $31,000 penalty, Industrial Magistrate Coleman noted that Dr Imam and Ms Hui had demonstrated "blatant disregard" for the compliance regime and their employment obligations.
Private Sector Labour Relations Director Cara Breuder said the size of the penalty reflected the gravity of the conduct.
"This was a young, vulnerable worker doing it tough to put herself through university. The hospitality sector is a high-risk sector for underpayments, with a high proportion of young workers and overseas visa workers," Ms Breuder said.
"Sinamon has now racked up more than $135,000 in penalties for breaching WA employment laws. The repeated non-compliance is particularly concerning."
Ms Breuder noted there was a strong correlation between businesses not keeping employment records and not paying their staff correctly.
Western Australian workers can find out how to get help to resolve an underpayment issue or anonymously report wage theft at www.wagetheft.wa.gov.au . Information on how to report wage theft is available on the website in 13 languages.
Information on employer obligations is available at www.lgirs.wa.gov.au/wageline or by calling Wageline on 1300 655 266.
