Two Asian grocers in Sydney have been ordered to pay a total of $706,000 in fines over the underpayments of 146 workers, following action taken by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO).
Two companies signed the enforceable undertakings brought forward by the FWO, Thai Kee Grocer Pty Ltd and G Grocer Kingsford Pty Ltd, trading as Gong Grocer World Square and Kingsford, respectively.
The FWO started investigating Thai Kee Grocer last year, followed by G Grocer Kingsford. It said that underpaid employees worked as shop assistants and in office administration roles, 32 of the 146 underpaid employees were on visas and three were between the ages of 18 and 19.
“Thai Kee Grocer and G Grocer Kingsford were found to have underpaid the employees a combined $657,469 in 18 months,” the FWO said. “Between August 2023 and February 2025, Thai Kee Grocer underpaid 104 employees $446,379 and Gong Grocer Kingsford underpaid 42 employees $211,090.”
Both companies have since rectified their underpayments.
“We expect all employers to meet all their obligations under any relevant award and the Fair Work Act. Hardworking employees must receive their full range of entitlements,” Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said.
“Higher rates of pay on weekends, for example, are meant to compensate staff working often unsociable hours when most others are not.”
The FWO welcomed both companies’ commitments to improve their payroll process in the future, while thanking the staff for speaking up.