Melbourne: A Sydney-based restaurateur, who was given a suspended jail term for falsifying immigration documents to hire a chef from India, has now been slapped a fine of 18,200 Australian dollars for allegedly exploiting him.

Federal Magistrates Court fined the director of Yoga Tandoori House Pty Ltd, Yogalingam Rasalingam, 18,200 Australian dollars (Rs 6,90,900) for exploiting the Indian worker The Australian reported today. Workplace Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson said the decision was a victory for vulnerable workers around the country.

"The worker came to Australia for the sole purpose of employment with Yoga Tandoori House," Wilson said. "He had no understanding of the English language, no other means of financial support and absolutely no understanding of what his lawful entitlements were in the workplace," he said. "The excuse of ignorance cannot be accepted given that the owner has 18 years experience in the restaurant business and at the time owned and operated four restaurants," Wilson added.

Magistrate Robert Cameron further concluded that the company had failed to pay the worker for ordinary hours of work, overtime, weekend work, and public holidays. Last November in Sydney's District Court, Rasalingam was ordered to be of good behaviour for twelve months or be jailed for four months and incur a USD 5,000 fine.

The 44 year old restaurateur was found guilty of dishonestly influencing a Commonwealth public official and was found to have forged the chef's signature on papers relating to his visa application to come to Australia from India.

Source : PTI