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Wage theft could put Qld bosses behind bars for 10 years
Queensland bosses who skip out on super payments or underpay their employees’ wages can now end up in jail, with wage theft now criminalised in the state.
Wage theft could put Qld bosses behind bars for 10 years
Queensland bosses who skip out on super payments or underpay their employees’ wages can now end up in jail, with wage theft now criminalised in the state.
With wage theft affecting one in four Queensland workers, Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace has said “enough is enough”, announcing the passage of new laws that now place wage and superannuation theft on the same level as “stealing as a clerk or servant”.
Stealing as a clerk or servant carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, with employers who underpay or incorrectly pay staff now liable for the same penalty.
Ms Grace said the state government is committed to protecting the rights of workers across Queensland, and reversing a trend that sees one in four employees affected.
She highlighted that wage theft “takes $2.2 billion out of Queensland workers’ pockets each year in unpaid wages and superannuation”.
“Far too often and for far too long, the stories of wage theft and underpayment have continued unabated.”
As well as increased penalties, workers will now find it far easier to recoup unpaid wages.
Ms Grace said new laws were required after it was recognised that “the current framework is not doing the job”, and something needed to change.
She said stronger penalties and deterrence measures are needed for anyone committing wage theft “particularly where it is deliberate and systematic and part of an employer’s business model”.
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