Australia’s largest asparagus and broccoli producer has been fined $ 60,000 for its role in hiring illegal workers.
Key points:
- M&G Vizzarri Pty Ltd would have been fined $ 100,000 if he had not pleaded guilty, the court heard.
- Some workers at the Koo Wee Rup property were paid as little as $ 14 an hour
- A man involved in the illegal work plan was jailed last year
M&G Vizzarri Proprietary Limited, led by Giuseppe Vizzarri, was convicted of violating the Migration Act after pleading guilty to eight counts of allowing an illegal non-citizen to work.
He faced another charge for allowing a non-legal citizen to work in breach of a work-related condition.
In December 2016, officers from the Australian Border Force and the Australian Federal Police found nine illegal workers on the property of Koo Wee Rup, east of Melbourne.
In county court this morning, Judge Trevor Wraight said men received $ 15 an hour and women $ 14.
Last year, the court jailed Sarith Kit for his involvement in the illegal workers’ plan by hiring undocumented workers from Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand.
“Illegal workers considered Mr. Kit to be the boss and Mr. Vizzarri to be Mr. Kit’s boss,” Judge Wraight said.
He said he would have fined the business $ 100,000 if he had not pleaded guilty.
“It wasn’t an early request, but it still has significant utilitarian value,” Judge Wraight said.
He also considered the good “rehabilitation prospects” of the company and the consequent lack of infringement.
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Posted 14 hours, 14 hours ago, Friday, June 10, 2022 at 1:41 AM, last updated 9 hours, 9 hours ago, Friday, June 10, 2022 at 6:15 AM