The judgement related to the IGA in Narrandera. Photo: realcommerical.com.au.
A Narrandera supermarket is accused of underpaying a migrant worker nearly $100,000 and allegedly creating false pay slips in an attempted cover-up.
In a statement, the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) announced it has launched legal action against Kinsfolk Retail Pty Ltd, a franchisee which operates the IGA supermarket in Narrandera.
The watchdog alleges that a migrant worker was underpaid $93,257 between August 2021 and May 2023.
It’s also alleged the company also breached record-keeping and pay slip laws as it tried to cover it up, allegedly knowingly giving false records and pay slips to the FWO during its investigation.
The company’s sole director and owner Kavit Himanshu Parekh, as well as his brother Ripple Himanshu Parekh, are set to face court later this year over the allegations.
The FWO alleges the latter man was also involved in the business.
“It is alleged that Kavit Himanshu Parekh was involved in all of Kinsfolk Retail’s contraventions and that Ripple Himanshu Parekh was involved in some of the underpayment and pay slip contraventions, and in the production of false records to the Fair Work Ombudsman,” the statement outlined.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said the seriousness of the alleged conduct warranted legal action.
“Allegedly significantly undercutting minimum award rates and trying to cover it up with false records and pay slips is completely unacceptable conduct,” she said.
“We are committed to taking action to protect vulnerable workers in Australia and will ensure that employers who breach the law are held to account.”
In its statement, the FWO said its investigation into the alleged offending began after the worker made contact.
The worker worked full-time hours of between 51 to 77 hours per week, but was allegedly only paid through a bank transfer for four hours each week at the appropriate rate under the relevant award.
The FWO alleged that he was paid in cash for the remaining hours. He allegedly received a flat rate of $15 an hour.
“The worker was allegedly entitled to receive between $22.33 to $23.38 for normal hours and rates ranging from $27.91 to $58.45 an hour for the weekend, public holiday, late night and overtime work he regularly performed,” the watchdog’s statement claimed.
It’s alleged the supermarket underpaid the worker’s annual leave entitlements, minimum break entitlements and a laundry allowance.
“Kinsfolk Retail has rectified the alleged underpayments in full,” the FWO statement said.
Ms Booth said the watchdog took any alleged breaches seriously.
“Employers need to be aware that we treat such alleged blatant breaches seriously and that taking action to protect migrant workers is a priority for the Fair Work Ombudsman,” she said.
“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance. They can also seek information from their employer or contact their union if they are a member.”
The Ombudsman is seeking penalties in court over the alleged breaches.
If found guilty over the alleged offending, Kinsfolk Retail Pty Ltd faces penalties of up to $82,500 per breach, while Kavit Himanshu Parekh and Ripple Himanshu Parekh each face penalties of up to $16,500 per breach.
The matter will return to the Federal Circuit and Family Court for a directions hearing in Sydney on 2 October 2026.
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