Watchdog seeks penalty over driver underpayment

The driver worked for the specialist foods importer and distributor, also known as Olara Pty Ltd and Exofun Pty Ltd, from 1983 to 2008, the federal workplace watchdog said.

FWO alleges Olara underpaid the man $30,462 between 2003 and 2008 and Exofun underpaid him $1,798 from June to October last year, according to prosecution submissions to the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

While the driver has since been back-paid, FWO said legal action against the operators was warranted. 

"This is a very large underpayment of a low-paid worker and we are asking the the court to impose a penalty both as a specific deterrence to those involved and as a general deterrent to to others," FWO executive director Michael Campbell said.