A campaign to promote compliance by nail salon businesses in the state industrial relations system with their legal obligations to pay staff correct wages and keep correct employment records has just been started by Private Sector Labour Relations.

Owners of nail salon businesses, which operate in the state industrial relations system, must provide the legal minimum pay rate to all staff.  It is unlawful for employers to pay employees less than the minimum rate of pay.

The state industrial relations system covers businesses which operate as sole traders, unincorporated partnerships and unincorporated trusts and their employees.  For more information on who is covered by the state system, visit www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/wageline.

Information is being sent to all nail salon businesses in the state system as part of the campaign, so if you operate a business in this industry please check your mail box for critical information.

The minimum hourly pay rate for a full time or part time employee aged 21 or over working as a manicurist is currently $19.13 and the minimum hourly pay rate for a casual employee aged 21 or over is currently $22.95.

Soon after the awareness raising part of the campaign, selected businesses will be audited by industrial inspectors from Private Sector Labour Relations to ensure that employees are receiving their correct pay rates entitlements, and business owners are maintaining correct employment records.  If breaches are identified, Private Sector Labour Relations may initiate court action in the Industrial Magistrates Court.

The Nail Salons Education Campaign page on the Wageline website gives nail salon business owners more information on employment obligations. You can also visit www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/wageline, contact Wageline via wageline@dmirs.wa.gov.au or 1300 655 266.