Care workers underpaid: claim

By Bridget Cook
THE Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a prosecution against the operators of child care centres in Hampton Park and Noble Park over the alleged underpayment of nine employees.
Facing court is La Kosta Childcare Centre and Kindergarten, which operates the two childcare centres, for allegedly underpaying the employees a total of almost $120,000.
Also facing court are Snezana Sterjov, the company’s sole owner, and her husband Kosta Sterjov, the sole director, both from Keysborough, who jointly manage the two centres.
Documents lodged in the Federal Magistrates’ Court in Melbourne allege that the couple were centrally involved in underpaying the nine employees, all women mainly in their twenties and thirties, between July 2005 and February last year.
It is believed that the employees were underpaid the minimum hourly rate, annual leave entitlements, overtime pay and shiftwork loading.
Fair Work inspectors discovered the underpayments when they investigated complaints lodged by the employees after they resigned.
Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson said the decision to prosecute was made because of the significant amount involved and the employer’s failure to rectify the alleged underpayments.
The couple face maximum penalties of $6600 per contravention and the company $33,000 per breach of workplace laws.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is also seeking a court order for the company to rectify the alleged underpayments.
Employers or employees seeking assistance can contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.