The owner and companies behind Sushi Bay restaurants in Canberra, Darwin and New South Wales have been penalised $15.3 million by the Federal Court for exploiting workers, including by underpaying staff more than $650,000.
In her judgement, Justice Anna Katzmann said the case showed the "exploitation of migrant workers and a shameless but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to conceal it". "The creation and maintenance of these documents shows that the overwhelming majority of the contraventions were committed deliberately and intentionally," Justice Katzmann wrote in her judgement.The fines included a $3.2 million penalty against Sushi Bay Pty Ltd, a $5.8 million penalty against Sushi Bay ACT Pty Ltd, $2.4 million against Auskobay Pty Ltd and $2.3 million against Auskoja Pty Ltd.
In the latest judgement, the Federal Court also imposed a $1.6 million fine against Sydney woman Yi Jeong 'Rebecca' Shin — the owner and sole director of the companies.The court also urged Ms Shin's conduct be referred to the Australian Taxation Office, the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission .
"If you deliberately underpay migrant workers and try to cover it up with false or misleading records you will be found out and will pay a heavy price.