Burger joint grilled over underpaid staff

A Brisbane burger chain is being taken to court by the workplace watchdog over allegations it underpaid overseas workers by more than $155,000.

Miel Container, which has outlets in the Brisbane CBD and Sunnybank, allegedly underpaid 11 South Korean nationals who were in Australia on working holiday and student visas between 2013 and 2016.

The Fair Work Ombudsman claims the casually-employed workers were generally paid a flat rate between $10 to $16 per hour when they should have been entitled to up to $20.61 per hour plus penalty rates.

The watchdog further alleges employees were unlawfully not paid for up to seven days of work during "trial periods".

The alleged underpayments for individual workers range from $3212 to $25,432.

Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Kristen Hanna said it decided to pursue Miel Container and fellow operator HWMJ Pty Ltd in the Federal Circuit Court because of the blatant nature of the alleged underpayments.

"We treat exploitation of overseas workers particularly seriously because we know they can be vulnerable if they are not fully aware of their rights, face language barriers or are reluctant to complain," Ms Hannah said.

Sole director Sangmoon 'Johnny' Na and brother Sanghoon Na, owner and manager of the Sunnybank outlet, are also facing legal action over alleged record-keeping contraventions.

AAP