Fair Work Ombudsman targets Clipsal 500 car race

The Fair Work Ombudsman has unveiled a new tactic of targeting major events by announcing that inspectors will randomly audit stall-holders at next week’s Clipsal 500 V8 Supercar race to ensure employers are meeting their obligations to casual workers.

The crackdown, which has been flagged six days before the event actually starts, will see inspectors audit 50 trackside stallholders between March 10 and March 14.

The on-site checks will involve an examination of time and wages records, to ensure casual workers are being paid and receiving correct meal breaks.

After the race, the inspectors will target cafes, restaurants and bars around the track.

Fair Work Ombudsman South Australian director Carey Trundle says the large numbers of young workers at the event mean it is important to ensure employee entitlements are protected.

“Where we find records are not adequate or identify other non-compliance issues, our preference will be to provide information and assistance to employers and request they voluntarily rectify any problems,” she said in a statement.

“However, in cases where they don’t, or where we suspect deliberate underpayments or other serious breaches have occurred, we may launch a full audit.”

Unions, race organisers and employer groups have been warned about the targeted crackdown.

The Ombudsman also announced a golf shop operator in the NSW regional town of Deniliquin has been fined $50,000 by the NSW Chief Industrial Magistrate’s Court in Sydney for underpaying a retail assistant.

The Court had previously told the company to back-pay the worker $30,185 plus interest.