Sydney food retailers fined over $750,000 for underpaying workers

The former operators of the Sydney takeaway business Big Fat Greek were ordered by the Federal Circuit and Family Court to pay $45,678 in penalties and back‑pay after failing to comply with a Fair Work Ombudsman compliance notice. The court imposed a $28,170 penalty on Big Fat Greek (Belmore) Pty Ltd, a $5,634 penalty on former director Peter Sinadinos, and ordered $11,874 in outstanding wages plus interest and superannuation for a casual kitchen attendant.

Separately, two Asian‑owned grocery chains in Sydney – Thai Kee Grocer Pty Ltd (trading as Gong Grocer World Square) and G Grocer Kingsford Pty Ltd (trading as Kingsford) – signed enforceable undertakings with the Fair Work Ombudsman and were fined a combined $706,000 for underpaying 146 employees. The underpayments totalled $657,469 over 18 months, affecting both visa‑holding and young workers. Both companies have since rectified the shortfalls. Fair Work Ombudsman commissioner Anna Booth emphasized that employers must meet all award and Fair Work Act obligations and that the penalties aim to deter future breaches.