Where there's a will there's a way, even when it
comes to wage theft. Despite JobKeeper payments not scheduled to
reach employee pockets until mid-May, there are already whispers
that unscrupulous employers are seeking to exploit the
scheme.
In a system that was already rife with underpayment scandals,
maybe we shouldn't be so surprised but optimism is not
something that should be lost during these times.
In any event, people are hitting social media to reveal
instances of employers forcing employees to pay back portions of
the JobKeeper payment or deducting "administrative fees"
(no such fees apply under the scheme).
One employee raised a concern with their MP after they were
offered their job back, but only on the condition that they
"reimburse" $600 of the $1,500 fortnightly JobKeeper
payment. That MP is now calling for a dedicated JobKeeper dob-in
hotline. ScoMo has also called out this "disgraceful"
behaviour but said reports should be made to the ATO and
