AI generated image
In short:
A former United Petroleum operator in Truganina allegedly underpaid a migrant worker and provided false pay slips to inspectors. The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken the matter to court as part of a broader investigation into the fuel chain.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched legal action against a former operator of a United Petroleum outlet in Truganina, alleging they underpaid a migrant worker and provided false or misleading pay slips.
Bharathi Karnati, a sole trader and former commission agent of the Leakes Road store, is accused of knowingly giving falsified documents to Fair Work Inspectors, which overstated the wages paid to an Indian international student working casually as a console operator.
Despite records stating otherwise, the worker was allegedly paid unlawfully low flat rates of no more than $14 per hour, far below the legal minimum of $28.38 per hour. This underpayment, which occurred between December 2020 and January 2021, amounted to $2,337 but has since been rectified.
The Fair Work Ombudsman also alleges that Ms Karnati failed to keep accurate time-and-wages records, and that former outlet manager Ravikanth Baddam was involved in these record-keeping breaches.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth described the alleged falsification as “completely unacceptable.”
“Allegedly knowingly providing falsified pay slips to Fair Work Inspectors is completely unacceptable and has the potential to undermine the integrity of the workplace relations system,” Ms Booth said.
“Employers should also be aware that taking action to protect migrant workers is a priority for the Fair Work Ombudsman. We applaud the worker in this case for assisting the investigation.”
Ms Karnati and Mr Baddam each face penalties of up to $13,320 per contravention. A directions hearing is set for 21 July 2025 in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Melbourne.
This matter is part of a wider Fair Work Ombudsman investigation into the United Petroleum network, which included audits of 20 outlets across multiple states. Two other cases were finalised in February, resulting in $179,221 in penalties. Two further legal actions remain ongoing.
The FWO reports it has filed 146 cases involving visa holders since July 2017 and secured nearly $23 million in penalties.
