Australian Building and Construction Commissioner Leigh Johns today confirmed that the ABCC is investigating allegations that construction workers at the Pentridge Prison apartment site in Melbourne were locked-out of the job last week.
The ABCC is investigating claims that employees at the site were prevented from entering the site on Friday 8 April 2011 and have not been paid wages.
“We were made aware of the issue through media reports on Friday. We do not restrict our activity merely to complaints received. The ABCC will investigate any matter within its jurisdiction where it is in the public interest to do so,” Commissioner Johns said.
The Wardens Walk townhouse project is valued at $13 million and involves the construction of two four-storey buildings containing 36 townhouse dwellings.
Commissioner Johns said breaches of the Fair Work Act 2009 can carry maximum penalties of $33,000.