Staff underpaid $37,000

Investigators from the Fair Work Ombudsman, found that Chao ‘Jason’ Ma and his company Baxi Health Wholesale Pty Ltd underpaid three employees the minimum rates for ordinary hours, casual loadings and weekend penalty rates for work performed between December 2016 and November 2018.
Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said an investigation was launched after they received requests for assistance from the trio, a male Chinese international student and two Taiwanese females on working holiday visas.
The company, which exports health and beauty products to Chinese and South East Asian customers, paid the three workers flat daily rates, and owed them $7,872, $13,509 and $15,164 respectively.
“Minimum pay rates are not negotiable and it is unlawful to pay migrant workers low, flat rates that undercut the minimum pay rates,” Ms Parker said.
“Baxi Health has acknowledged it did the wrong thing and will pay back the employees in full.
“Under the court-enforceable undertaking, Baxi Health has committed to overhauling their business practices to comply with workplace laws, which will benefit current employees, particularly migrant workers.
“All workers in Australia have the same rights at work, regardless of citizenship or visa status.”