Audit slams down

More than 80 workers have been back-paid tens of thousands of dollars after an audit of 171 clothing manufacturers across Queensland.

The workers received a total of $50,500 after the Fair Work Ombudsman found breaches in a statewide raid on the books of businesses.

The industrial relations watchdog revealed 121 employers (71 per cent) were compliant with workplace laws and paying staff correctly.

However 50 (29 per cent) had a combination of record-keeping, pay slip and underpayment breaches.

It is understood the audits were prompted by complaints from within the industry.

Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Michael Campbel said outworkers were a particular focus of the campaign.

“Complex supply chain structures can mean outworkers don’t know who their actual employer is, or they may be reluctant to complain for fear of losing orders, and so these workers can be more vulnerable to exploitation,” Campbell said.

However only 11 of the businesses audited (six per cent) employed outworkers.

Seven of those (64 per cent) had been found to have contravened record-keeping obligations and the conditions specific to outworkers in the relevant award.

Campbell said while the compliance rate was disappointing, a common cause was employers being unaware of their obligations rather than deliberate attempts to avoid them.

He said Fair Work inspectors educated employers on their obligations and the businesses have now put processes in place to ensure they comply in the future.

“The audits also provided valuable insight into the clothing manufacturing industry which we will draw upon when planning future campaigns,” he said.

The audits were conducted across Maryborough, Darra, North Rockhampton, Emerald, Fortitude Valley, Inala, Mackay, Underwood, Aitkenvale, Brendale, Buddina, Bundall, Burleigh BC, Camira, Capalaba, Cooroy, Currumbin Waters and Ellen Grove.

They also included Eumundi, Goodna, Gympie, Helensvale, Hervey Bay, Manunda, Maroochydore, Mudgeeraba, Nerang, Newstead, Redbank Plains, Shailer Park, South Brisbane, South Mackay, Springwood, Toowong and Wynnum.