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Canberra Today 11°/15° | Saturday, March 30, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

ANU turns blind eye to ‘wage theft’, says UnionsACT

AFTER an investigation by student newspaper “Woroni”, which uncovered what it describes as serious and long-term “wage theft” by a campus food franchise, UnionsACT is calling on ANU administration to audit and report such businesses. 

Alex White
UnionsACT secretary Alex White.
Secretary of UnionsACT Alex White says the ANU administration has a “moral responsibility” to take action and ensure that none of the businesses operating on its campus are breaking the law.

“It is unacceptable that adult employers take advantage of young workers and international students,” he says. 

“It is even more unacceptable that the ANU administration turns a wilful blind eye to the illegality and theft taking place on its property.”

Meanwhile, the ANU says it was “disappointed” to read reports in “Woroni” alleging Sumo Salad had underpaid its employees.

“We have expectations that all retailers on the university campus pay award wages and comply with all relevant laws,” the ANU statement says, promising that it would seek an explanation from the operator of Sumo Salad.

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman 40 per cent of businesses in Canberra break one or more of the Fair Work Act laws on wages, superannuation, pay slips and workers’ rights. 

Research from Industry Super Australia shows that each year 45,000 Canberrans have an average of $3400 of their superannuation affected by underpayments and non-payment.

 

 

  

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