A Hobart distribution company and its director are facing hefty fines in excess of $100,000 for allegedly underpaying visa holder truck drivers.
Claremont-based Horne Distributors Pty Ltd and the company’s sole director and owner Phillip Horne are being taken to court by the Fair Work Ombudsman over the matter.
The legal action stems from an investigation launched by the ombudsman into the company’s practices following complaints from workers employed between April 2019 and July 2022.
Fair Work is seeking penalties of up to $33,300 for Horne Distributors and $6,660 for Horne for allegedly failing to comply with a Compliance Notice issued in October 2022.
An additional $66,600 from Horne Distributors and $13,320 from Horne is also being pursued for a pay slip contravention.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth alleges that the company underpaid one worker’s casual minimum wages and two workers’ annual leave entitlements.
She said Horne Distributors failed to back-pay the underpaid workers despite the Compliance Notice and accused Horne of being involved in the contraventions.
“Where employers do not comply, we will take appropriate action to protect employees,” Booth said.
“Employers also need to be aware that taking action to protect visa holder workers is among our top priorities.”
