The former operators of a Queensland transport and logistics business have been ordered to pay a total of $19,922 in penalties and back-pay after the Fair Work Ombudsman won a case against them in court.
Jatinder Singh Bassi, a sole trader who operated Bassi Group Transport, and his wife Satty Bassi, who was involved in operating and managing the business, each had penalties of $5,328 imposed on them by the Federal Circuit and Famiy Court.
Bassi Group Transport formerly provided waste collection and disposal services in and around the Brisbane and Logan areas.
The penalties were imposed on the business after Bassi failed to comply with a Compliance Notice requiring the back-payment of a truck driver he employed part-time between June 2019 and February 2020.
On top of the penalties, Jatinder Singh Bassi has been ordered to pay the driver the $9,266 he owes him, plus interest.
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated the matter and intervened after receiving a request for assistance from the affected worker.
The worker had been underpaid shift-work overtime rates, public holiday base rates, annual leave entitlements, payment-in-lieu-of-notice-of-termination entitlements, afternoon and night-shift penalty rates, and penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work.
A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice to Jatinder Singh Bassi in December 2021 in response to the worker being underpaid entitlements owed under the Waste Management Award 2010 and the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said business operators that fail to act on Compliance Notices need to be aware they can face penalties in court on top of having to back-pay workers.
“When Compliance Notices are not followed, we will continue to take legal action. Employers who fail to act on these notices risk substantial penalties and back-pay orders,” Booth said.
“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance.”
Big Rigs has been unable to contact Bassi Group Transport, which is no longer in operation.