Labour hire company and four farms face more than $3 million in fines

Victoria's Labour Hire Authority (LHA) is pursuing its largest case to date, prosecuting seven entities including a Swan Hill-based labour hire company and four horticultural farms. The legal action in the Victorian Supreme Court alleges breaches of the state's labour hire licensing laws. If found guilty, the labour hire company and the four farms could face fines totaling up to $3.3 million, with two company owners potentially facing individual fines of $160,000 each.

The LHA initiated its investigation after receiving a tip regarding Soo Soo Siong Pty Ltd, the labour hire company, allegedly paying workers less than the legal minimum wage under the Horticulture Award. An investigation revealed the company operated without a license between April 2023 and March 2024. During this period, it reportedly provided labour hire services to four farms: Cutri Fruit Trusco Pty Ltd, Infantino United Fruit Pty Ltd, Mallee Fresh Produce Pty Ltd, and A & A Marra & Sons. These farms allegedly paid Soo Soo Siong Pty Ltd approximately $750,000 over 11 months for these services.

Adding to the gravity of the allegations, the case includes claims that a Malaysian national was confined to a property and restaurant for over three years by Soo Soo Siong owners Kwai Chow Lee and Akhmar Salni Mohamad-Ramlee. The LHA further alleges that the man's name and passport were used without his knowledge to open a bank account and apply for Soo Soo Siong's labour hire license.

Michelle Osborne, acting labour hire licensing commissioner, emphasized the case's importance in demonstrating why licensing is crucial. She stated, "This case provides one of the best examples I've seen of why labour hire licensing matters." She highlighted the "serious harm" and financial exploitation involved, issues the LHA has been warning growers about for years. The regulator hopes this targeted action will deter other farms from engaging with unlicensed labour providers. This action follows the LHA's first prosecution against a farm for using an unlicensed company earlier this year, with Yarra Valley orchard Sanders Apples facing potential fines of up to $650,000.

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This case provides one of the best examples I've seen of why labour hire licensing matters. We are talking about serious harm here, and serious money, and exactly the kinds of risks we've been highlighting to growers across Victoria for years now.