The Fair Work watchdog is taking legal action again the owner of Charlestown’s New Shanghai restaurant, for allegedly underpaying staff more than half a million dollars.
It’s claimed 85 workers, including international students, were paid as little as $10 an hour over a 16-month period between July 2013 and November 2014.
One employee was allegedly underpaid more than $33,000.
Legal proceedings have commenced against the owner of the restaurant, Sydney man Zhong Yuan “John” Chen, while his company NSH North Pty Ltd is also being prosecuted.
The restaurant manager and the company’s human resources manager will also face court.
The matter will be heard in Federal Court in Sydney.
Fair Work says it launched an investigation, following a complaint from one of the restaurant’s kitchen staff.
