21 July 2016

The Fair Work Ombudsman will audit 365 textile, clothing and footwear businesses across Australia in the second phase of a national campaign aimed at building compliance with workplace laws across the industry.

The three-month campaign will check to ensure employers are paying the correct minimum hourly rates, penalty rates, allowances and loadings and providing appropriate meal breaks to employees.

Compliance with record-keeping and pay-slip obligations will also be monitored.

Businesses to be scrutinised were provided with education materials last year in the first phase of the campaign.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James says one of the aims of the campaign is to ensure employers in the industry - which is known to employ high numbers of vulnerable workers - are aware of their workplace responsibilities and how the Agency can assist them.

“It’s important we check that workers are being paid correctly, but we also want to be pro-active about ensuring employers understand their obligations,” she said.

“Fair Work inspectors will offer tailored assistance to rectify any non-compliance issues and put processes in place to ensure employers get things right in the future.”

Ms James says employers must make an effort to ensure they understand the minimum wages applicable to their workplace.

“Minimum pay rates are non-negotiable and they apply to everyone regardless of nationality and visa status.”

Inspectors will inform employers about the range of free tools and resources available to them on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website at www.fairwork.gov.au

Online tools include calculators to determine the correct wages for employees, templates for time-and-wages records, and a Pay and Conditions Tool.

Small business operators can also tap in to the suite of easy-to-follow courses at the Fair Work Ombudsman Online Learning Centre.

The free courses provide advice and guidance on issues including difficult conversations in the workplace, starting a new job, hiring employees and managing performance.

Employers and employees seeking assistance can visit the website or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.

An interpreter service is also available by calling 13 14 50. 

Follow Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James on Twitter @NatJamesFWO , the Fair Work Ombudsman @fairwork_gov_au or find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/fairwork.gov.au .

Sign up to receive the Fair Work Ombudsman’s media releases direct to your email inbox at www.fairwork.gov.au/mediareleases.

Media inquiries:

Bryan Littlely, Assistant Director, Media
Mobile: 0447 692 007
bryan.littlely@fwo.gov.au