Eagle Boys Karratha fined for illegally employing children
Issue Date: - Friday, 28 March 2008
Matanza Pty Ltd, trading as Eagle Boys Pizza Karratha, has been fined $31,000 for illegally employing children after entering a plea of guilty for 5 charges in the Industrial Magistrate's Court.
Four of the charges were for employing two children aged 11 years and two children aged 12 years. The remaining charge was for the employment of a 14 year old girl without written permission from her parents. One of the 11 year old children had worked 54 different shifts.
Under the Children and Community Services Act 2004 it is illegal for businesses in the fast food industry to employ children under 13 years of age. The Act also requires employers to obtain written consent from a parent prior to employing a child under 15 years.
Industrial Magistrate Cicchini fined the company $7,500 for each of the charges of employing children under the age of 13 years and $1 000 for the charge of employing without parental permission. When sentencing, Magistrate Cicchini indicated employing children under 13 years of age is the most serious breach of these laws and that the company had engaged in reckless conduct which led to the breaches.
Acting Director of the Compliance and Education Directorate Mr Joseph Lee said, "It was disappointing that the breaches occurred after the department had provided detailed information to the employer on its obligations when employing children."
Mr Lee said, "The fine imposed demonstrates the seriousness with which the court views such offences and should serve as a warning to all employers of the consequences of not abiding by this legislation."
This is the highest fine imposed by the court for individual breaches of the children employment laws.
The Department has consistently provided employers, particularly those in the fast food industry, with information and advice on their obligations when employing children and will continue to do so in an effort to ensure compliance with the laws.
Employers wishing to check their employment obligations, including those on employing children, are encouraged to contact Wageline on 1300 655 266.