Workers on the Pentridge Prison Apartment project in Melbourne have received back-pay totaling $5,955 after an investigation by the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner revealed their employer failed to pay the employees their full entitlements.
The recovered funds are part of the $84,071 that the ABCC has recovered for workers to date.
‘The ABCC resolved this matter within four weeks. Securing back-pay and achieving voluntary resolution was made easier in this matter because the ABCC responded rapidly with investigation and compliance activities.’
The ABCC became aware of allegations of underpayments at the Pentridge site following reports on Melbourne media saying that workers at the site had been locked out and had not been paid their wages.
ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns said many underpayments issues in the building and construction industry arise because of a lack of understanding by employers of their legal obligations.
‘In this case the employer miscalculated the amount they ought to pay, and were not aware of the pay increase that took effect on 1 March 2011,’ ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns said.
‘The employer was co-operative with ABC inspectors and keen to voluntarily pay the employees their full entitlement once they understood their error.’
Mr Johns said the ABCC can help employers and workers to understand their rights and obligations under both enterprise agreements and industry awards.
‘The ABCC can provide one-on-one advice to employers in the building and construction industry 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,’ said ABC Commissioner Johns.
The ABCC promotes fair and productive building and construction work. It also monitors compliance and investigates breaches of national workplace legislation.
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.