Wage theft scandals sweeping Australia's retail and hospitality sectors will come under close scrutiny during a wide-ranging parliamentary inquiry into worker rip-offs.
Labor senators on Wednesday referred wage and superannuation underpayments across all industries to the upper house's economics committee.
The opposition's industrial relations spokesman Tony Burke hailed the inquiry as a win for Australian workers.
"It will help the parliament develop ways to stop employers ripping off their staff, and ensure workers get what they are owed," he said.
Last month it emerged Woolworths underpaid its employees by up to $300 million over almost a decade, while a number of high-end restaurant groups and chefs have also been caught out.
"Despite scandal after scandal - from 7/11 in 2014 to Woolworths just a few weeks ago - the government has refused to act," Mr Burke said.
"Scott Morrison simply does not take wage compliance seriously. And by failing to act on this issue, his government has sent the message to businesses that they don't need to take it seriously either."
Liberal frontbencher Jonathon Duniam said the government had given regulators more money and powers, as well as increased penalties for non-compliance.
"Yet another talkfest on this matter is entirely unnecessary - now is the time for action," he told parliament.
"We know the issues, we've seen the evidence and it is this government that is actually doing something about it."
He said the government was drafting tough new laws to criminalise wage theft.
"We're consulting on even more penalties, powers and tools for the courts to crack down employers who don't give their employees what they're owed."
The motion to establish the inquiry wasn't opposed by government senators, with Labor having the numbers to make the referral.
The committee will look at the extent and effects of unlawful underpayment of workers and what can be done to tackle the issue.
The inquiry will also investigate:
* The economic cost of wage theft and superannuation underpayments
* The best way to uncover issues and protect whistleblowers
* Tax treatment of workers who have wages repaid
* Changes to laws to help with recovery and deterrence
It will report in June next year.
Australian Associated Press
