With the recovery of $10,031 for four Korean tilers working in the ACT, the ABCC has now recovered more than $100,000 in wages and entitlements for workers in the building and construction industry.
Since the first recovery on 7 December 2010, the total now stands at $107,165.
“Our experience recovering funds for these tilers is a good reflection of the experience we have had in many of our underpayment investigations,” said Commissioner Johns.
“When we discovered the payments had been made based on an outdated award and the employer saw the error, the employer was happy to voluntarily pay the workers their full entitlements.
“Since the ABCC committed to being a full service regulator by taking responsibility for resolving underpayment complaints in the building and construction industry, I have been thrilled with the results for workers and I am pleased with the employer’s attitudes to rectifying errors.
“If an employer is in doubt about their responsibilities, the ABCC can provide one-on-one advice about classifications and hourly rates, record keeping obligations, leave and termination issues and employment conditions.
“We are here to assist, but ultimately, each employer in the building and construction industry is responsible for ensuring their employees receive correct entitlements.”
The recovery of lost wages for the Korean workers forms part of the ABCC’s broader efforts to ensure that the building trade’s most vulnerable workers are protected.
The ABCC recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship to facilitate the sharing of relevant information to support foreign workers, and is currently developing communications targeted to culturally and linguistically diverse stakeholders.
“The building and construction industry has participants that come from all walks of life, regardless of background or status our aim is to ensure they are able to work in an industry that operates fairly and productively,” Commissioner Johns concluded.
Employers or employees in the building and construction industry seeking advice should contact the ABCC Hotline on 1800 003 338 or visit www.abcc.gov.au.