A Barwon Heads fish and chip shop is facing fines of more than $250,000 if it is found guilty of charges relating to child employment.
Wage Inspectorate Victoria filed 14 criminal charges in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria against Mangroves Bar Pty Ltd (trading as Mangroves Bar and Grill), elledging it contravened state laws relating to child employment permits, rest breaks and hours of work for a child under 15.
It is alleged Mangroves contravened section 9(1) of the Child Employment Act 2003 (the Act) on six occasions by failing to obtain a child employment permit when it allegedly employed a 13-year-old during school holidays in January 2022.
Four more charges relate to the business allegedly allowing the child to work shifts of more than six hours and failing to provide the child with a rest break on four occasions.
The maximum penalty for each offence is 100 $18,174 and if found guilty of all offences, the company faces more than $250,000 in fines.
The matter has been listed for mention in the Magistrates’ Court in Melbourne on 14 November 2022.
Wage Inspectorate’s recent campaign focused on regional fast food outlets, restaurants and cafes, which found almost 80 per cent of businesses employing children under 15 were breaking the law because they had failed to apply for a child employment permit.
They were all put on notice that any future non-compliance would be met with more serious penalties, including potential legal action, while one employer remains under investigation.
The campaign saw child employment officers educate hundreds of employers about their obligations.
Victoria’s child employment laws require employers of children under 15 to obtain a permit from the Wage Inspectorate before any work takes place.
The permit system enables the Wage Inspectorate to check that matters such as safety, hours of work, rest breaks and supervision are properly considered before employment starts. Permits are free, and employers can quickly and easily apply for one online at wageinspectorate.vic.gov.au.
