“Workplace watchdog fines clothing retailer for migrant worker exploitation”

Australia’s Fair Work Ombudsman has successfully secured over AUD 5.1 million (USD 3.1 million) in court penalties against a retailer in New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory for exploiting four Chinese migrant workers and obstructing inspectors, despite prior warnings to comply with labour laws.

The Federal Court imposed an AUD 4,299,000 (USD 2.6 million) penalty against Blue Sky Kids Land, which previously operated children’s clothing stores in Sydney, NSW’s Central Coast, Newcastle and Canberra.

In addition, the court imposed an AUD 760,000 penalty against company director Guo Dong Gu, an AUD 43,000 (USD 26,766) penalty against company director Fei Rong Yang, and an AUD 44,100 (USD 27,450) penalty against Q Fay Trading, a company previously operated by Gu and Yang which imported clothing to supply to the stores.

The total penalties are the third highest ever secured in court by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

In addition to the penalties, the Court ordered Blue Sky Kids Land, Gu and Yang to make back payments to the workers, plus superannuation and interest…