The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the operators of a regional Victorian hotel and café after staff were allegedly underpaid a total of $320,929.

Facing court are Louise Maree Melotte and Travis Francis Melotte, a married couple who have been involved in operating Hotel Frangos and Café Koukla on Vincent Street in Daylesford.

The regulator alleges that Ms Melotte was involved in underpaying 97 staff at Hotel Frangos and Café Koukla between May 2017 and July 2019.

The allegedly underpaid workers included 15 juniors, aged between 15 and 20 at the time, and a number of visa holders, from countries including Nepal, Pakistan and Armenia.

The workers included food and beverage attendants and cooks, as well as two guest services staff and one clerical worker...

Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said that employers risk facing legal action if they fail to provide employees’ basic minimum lawful entitlements...

The Fair Work Ombudsman is also seeking a court order requiring Ms Melotte to back-pay the allegedly underpaid staff in full, plus superannuation and interest...