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Updated
06 July 2018 12:15:30
Another popular restaurant chain in Melbourne has been struck by allegations that its staff has been underpaid, and a former worker alleges that he was told that "his work was at stake". Former workers said twenty former employees were paid about $ 150,000 after raising allegations with the Ichi group, which runs Melbourne's popular restaurants, including Fitzroy's Ichi Ni Nana and St Kilda's Ichi Ni. [19659005] The United Voice Union stated that at least some casual workers employed by Ichi Group were paid only $ 18 an hour – about $ 5 less than the reward rate then.
The union representing workers across the country filed a complaint The Fair Trade Ombudsman claimed that the Ichi Group did not pay penalties or overtime rates and paid base below for temporary visa workers.
He asked for an investigation into past and current arrangements
ABC contacted the Ichi Group by phone and in writing, but was told that the company would not comment.
"Overworked and Underpaid"
James Lea began work at the Fitzroy Complex of the Ichi Group, Brunswick Street, in March 2016.
After working for $ 18.50 at the time For about seven months, Mr. Lea requested that his salary be increased at the reward rate, he said.
"Their answer was to sit in the office and tell me that I was doing a bad job and that my job was at stake," he said.
"They do not have to do it. were not able to give me a pay raise because they were unhappy with my progress. "
Mr. Lea said that he had first been eager to work in a place exciting in a street that he loved.] A sign for the restaurant Ichi Ni NaNa on Brunswick St Fitzroy. "title =" Ichi Ni NaNa "width =" 340 "height =" 227 "/>
Photo:
A sign indicating Ichi Ni NaNa Restaurant on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. (ABC News: Billy Draper)
"During my entire stay, I was underpaid … When I left after 18 months … myself and some other friends we met … and collectively signed a letter requesting that they investigate "
Mr. Lea said he received over $ 13,000 in arrears from the Ichi Group, but said that the signatories who were still employed then lost their job
Mr. Lea said that the bar staff sometimes worked He said pay slips did not accurately reflect hours worked or were not even handed over to workers. [17] 19659010 ] "The culture entrenched in Melbourne hospo"
The complaint to the Ombudsman alleges that the Ichi Group exploited and discriminated against workers on the basis of their nationality, ethnicity, language or visa status.
who arrived from Asia, received only $ 18 at the hour without penalty nor overtime, while the hourly rate for Australian workers was $ 21 without penalty or overtime, according to complaint
"Very few of them felt confident Mr. Lea said: [19659012] "They were paid for a 38-hour week, but often 50 to 60 hours. Often, students have been forced to lower pay rates and cash because the company refuses to pay the appropriate fees. "
The former employee Oscar Shaw, who also signed the letter demanding repayment, said that there were other workers who might have to l & # 39; money.
"I have no doubt that we are currently helping a second group of people to claim probably about $ 60,000," said Mr. Shaw.
"There is a culture rooted in Melbourne's hospo of underpayment. Many workers accept this as immutable.
"Those who are capable of earning a decent salary consider former poor wages as some sort of necessary part of the career."
But Mr. Lea said that he was part of a great team Despite working conditions
"All staff members tend to bond together, especially in the face of adversity. The owners of the company always told us that we were a big family … one of the things that made us laugh was that the link was in spite of them, "said Mr. Lea.
A small fraction of the people who have worked on the site in recent years.
"I hope that the Ichi Group will study these claims properly and thoroughly."
Topics:
law-crime-and-justice
food and drink,
job,
community-and-society,
hospitality,
industry,
business-economics-and-finance
melbourne-3000
vic
Published
July 6, 2018 12:08:46
