12 May 2025

The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against a housing construction company based in south-western Sydney and its sole director for an alleged breach affecting a young migrant worker.

Facing court are Veens Group Pty Ltd, which is based in Harrington Park, and the company’s sole director Dasi Shi.

A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice to Veens Group Pty Ltd in June 2023 after forming a belief that it had not paid a construction worker it employed on a casual basis for eight days in October 2022.

The worker, a Chinese national then aged 20, was in Australia on a student visa at the time.

It is alleged the worker was entitled to be paid minimum casual wages, under the Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2020.

The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges Veens Group Pty Ltd, without a reasonable excuse, failed to comply with the Compliance Notice, which required it to calculate and back-pay the worker’s entitlements.

It is alleged that Mr Shi was involved in the contravention.

Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said the regulator would continue to enforce workplace laws and take businesses to court where lawful requests are not complied with.

“Where employers do not comply, we will take appropriate action to protect employees. A court can order a business to pay penalties and make payments to workers,” Ms Booth said.

“Employers should also be aware that taking action to protect young workers and migrant workers, and improve compliance in the construction industry, are priorities for the FWO. Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance.”

The FWO is seeking penalties in court for the alleged failure to comply with the Compliance Notice. Veens Group Pty Ltd faces a penalty of up to $46,950 and Mr Shi faces a penalty of up to $9,390.

The regulator is also seeking an order requiring the company comply with the Compliance Notice, including paying the alleged outstanding amount to the worker, plus interest.

A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Sydney on 18 June 2025.

The Fair Work Ombudsman filed 146 litigations against employers involving visa holder workers, and secured nearly $23 million in penalties in cases that have included visa holder workers, in the seven financial years to June 2024.

Employers and employees can visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for free advice and assistance. An interpreter service is available on 13 14 50. Employees can also seek information from their employer or their union, if they are a union member.

The FWO has an online anonymous report tool, including options to report in languages other than English, and information for migrant workers, including on protections for their visas, is available at our visa holders and migrants webpage.

The FWO provides a free online course to help employers understand what a Compliance Notice is and how to respond if they get one. The Compliance Notice course, among a suite of free interactive courses on offer for employers, managers and employees, is available in our online learning centre.

Information is available for employees and employers at our young workers and students webpage.