Woy Woy targetted in industrial campaign

Woy Woy is one of a number of local centres targetted by the Office of Industrial Relations for an "education and compliance" campaign.

The campaign is being conducted in a range of industries, occupations and regions across NSW with inspectors visiting around 80 medical centres in Gosford and Wyong during December and January.

NSW Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for the Central Coast, Mr John Della Bosca, said the visits were part of an ongoing campaign aimed at taking advice and assistance out to workplaces.

"Our intention is to ensure that all employers understand their rights and obligations under more state industrial laws," Mr Della Bosca said.

"We want to help employers and employees work together to identify and head off disputes before they arise, rather than simply respond to complaints.

"The inspectors will deliver information kits on awards and industrial laws as well as provide advice on workplace health and safety.

"In coming months, inspectors will follow up the initial visits with a series of random inspections to assess compliance," he said.

"In our experience, most employers are ready to do the right thing when they know what is required. So our primary aim it to ensure that employers understand their obligations.

"However, employers who continue to ignore minimum standards will be prosecuted. This protects both employees and competitors who comply with the law," Mr Della Bosca said.

For underpaying employees, employers can face up to penalties of $10,000.

Courts can also order repayment of wages, including interest.

For further information, phone 131 628.

Press release, December 10