Inspectors to visit retailers

Inspectors from the Office of Industrial Relations will visit 60 retailers, restaurants, video-hire and takeaway food stores in Woy Woy and Ettalong Beach this month.

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.

"The purpose of the visits is to ensure that employers understand their rights and obligations under NSW industrial laws," Mr Della Bosca said.

"We want to help employers and employees work together to identify and head off disputes before they arise, to build fairer and more productive workplaces.

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

The Minister said similar education and compliance campaigns were being conducted in a range of industries, occupations and regions across NSW.

"The major issues inspectors have come across in past campaigns relate to the failure of employers to display awards in the workplace, keep proper employment records, provide employees with correct pay slips or correct pay amounts," Mr Della Bosca said.

"'In our experience, most employers are ready to do the right thing when they know what is required.

"Our primary aim is to ensure employers understand their obligations.

"However, employers who continue to ignore minimum standards will be prosecuted.

"This protects both employees and their competitors who comply with the law," he said.

Employers can face penalties of up to $10,000 for underpaying employees.

Courts can also order repayment of wages, with interest, he said.

Press release, March 30