Legal action is being taken against the former owner of Altona IGA for allegedly underpaying workers at two supermarkets.
Said “Sam” Haddad, who is current owner and operator of Fairfield IGA, is accused of underpaying six employees at Altona and Fairfield by a total of $11,373 between November 2013 and November 2015.
The Altona IGA changed hands in October, 2015.
The Fair Work Ombudsman, which has commenced proceedings against Haddad in the Federal Circuit Court, alleges that two workers at the Altona IGA had been underpaid a total of $7465.
Inspectors subsequently audited Haddad’s Fairfield store and allegedly found four workers had been underpaid a total of $3907.
Court documents state the employees were aged 19-23 at the time.
Haddid faces fines up to $10,800 per contravention if found guilty.
Two companies of which Haddad is director – Hadya Nominees Pty and Deja Vu Elite Security Pty Ltd – are also facing court in relation to the alleged underpayment.
The companies face penalties up to $54,000 per contravention.
The ombudsman is seeking penalties and back-payment for two workers who have not been reimbursed.
Haddad is due in court on March 15.
The current operators of Altona IGA have no involvement in any matters before the court and no allegations are made against them.
