“We were just fed up with the fact that they are constantly expanding and opening up new stores, and yet they are paying $5 and $10 below the minimum wage,” McCarthy said.

Big yikes. Important note: wage theft is not federally recognised as theft in Australia at present. Some states have laws recognising it as such, and the Albanese Government is currently working on laws to recognise it federally.

Right now, intentional wage theft might result in a fine that is a small fraction of the money that was actually stolen. The proposal is to make it a multiple of like 3–4x what was stolen, to truly discourage stealing people's wages.

[–] Pons_Aelius@kbin.social 16 points 2 years ago (1 children)

The proposal is to make it a multiple of like 3–4x what was stolen, to truly discourage stealing people’s wages.

Every person in the management chain should face criminal theft charges as well.

[–] Zagorath@aussie.zone 10 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

There actually is something about prison time being considered too.

Employers who deliberately underpay their staff could face years behind bars or be hit with multi-million dollar fines under significant workplace law changes being floated by the federal government.

ABC link.

[–] Pons_Aelius@kbin.social 10 points 2 years ago (1 children)

The problem I have is that could face will translate to never in actual application.

[–] Zagorath@aussie.zone 9 points 2 years ago

Yeah. The fact that they're very particularly wanting to ensure it only happens with "deliberate" underpayment is a little concerning. Prosecutors would have to prove intent.

Like, I get it. It's a bit harsh if you do accidentally underpay workers and end up risking gaol time. But on the other hand, as an employer your literal only job is to ensure the people actually doing the work get paid.

I'd probably say that if the total amount underpaid exceeds some number (I don't know what that number is), intentionality is automatically presumed. That still allows small businesses making genuine mistakes in the clear, while companies large enough to be able to do better, or anyone who underpays each employee by a large enough amount, is forced to ensure they do the right thing.

[–] Ilovethebomb@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 years ago

That is so incredibly sketchy.

[–] jordanlund@lemmy.one 21 points 2 years ago

“Mint My Desk notes however that any concerns raised by these employees should be done in a respectful and courteous manner."

But also:

"While employees said they had raised concerns since early 2022, Yu said she became aware of issues on Saturday."

Sounds like a year and a half of "respectful and courteous" failed to get the action that a few days of walkout did.

If you want your employees to be "respectful and courteous" you need to treat them with respect and courtesy. Full stop.

[–] makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Me thinks a visit from the ATO is about to happen

[–] zurohki@aussie.zone 8 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Employees underpaid

ATO: i sleep

Payroll tax underpaid

ATO: REAL SHIT

[–] Zagorath@aussie.zone 4 points 2 years ago

Well yes, because people being underpaid isn't the ATO's purview. That's be Fair Work.

[–] makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 years ago

Well if they're underpaid, or paid cash, that's tax lost. The ATO will be all over this, guaranteed

[–] brave@aussie.zone 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

The proliferation of Mint My Desk and Millionlife places is pretty insane. Seems like a Millionlife pops up wherever there's a bit of empty retail space.

I would say Mint My Desk has some cute stuff but have never thought it was amazing quality or anything.

[–] Zagorath@aussie.zone 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I've never even heard about them before this.

What do they actually do/sell?

[–] brave@aussie.zone 4 points 2 years ago

Mint My Desk does stationery, but not great stationery. It's cute but I've seen higher quality stuff elsewhere.

Millionlife is like the vending machine place, just has a bunch of pink vending machines, no staff.