Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth has started legal action against the P’Nut Street Noodles chain in Sydney, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, alleging workers were underpaid almost $1 million.
In a statement released today, the FWO said Sabcha Pty Ltd, which employed staff to work across 11 P’Nut Street Noodles restaurants, and one of the company’s managers and directors, Ankur Sehgal, were facing the Federal Circuit and Family Court.
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges Sabcha Pty Ltd underpaid 118 workers a total of $976,463. Alleged individual underpayments range from $70 to as much as $79,000.
“The large majority of the allegedly underpaid staff were migrant workers who were in Australia at the time on sponsored-work, student and other visas from countries including Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, India and Indonesia,” Ms Booth said.
“They worked as cooks, front-of-house-service staff, kitchen hands and in other roles.”
The FWO is seeking penalties in court. For the alleged serious contraventions, Sabcha Pty Ltd faces penalties of up to $666,000 per breach.
For the other alleged contraventions, Sabcha Pty Ltd faces penalties of up to $66,600 per breach and Mr Sehgal faces penalties of up to $13,320 per breach.
The regulator is also seeking an order requiring Sabcha Pty Ltd to back-pay all workers in full, plus interest and superannuation.
A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Sydney on April 28, 2025.
Employers and employees can visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for free advice and assistance. An interpreter service is available on 13 14 50. Employees can also seek information from their employer or their union, if they are a union member.
The FWO also has an online anonymous report tool, including options to report in languages other than English, and information for migrant workers is available at our visa holders and migrants webpage.
