An Australian court has imposed a A$90 million (approximately £43 million or $59 million) fine on the airline Qantas due to the unlawful termination of around 1,700 ground staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. This ruling is noted as the largest penalty against an employer in Australia’s history, according to the Transport Workers’ Union, which has expressed support for the judgment.
Justice Michael Lee of the Federal Court stated that the fine is intended to serve as a significant deterrent for other employers regarding similar actions. Qantas’s decision to outsource its ground operations staff in 2020 was framed by the airline as a necessary cost-saving measure in response to the aviation industry’s downturn during the pandemic.
As part of the ruling, the court mandated that Qantas pay A$50 million directly to the transport workers’ union, which initiated the legal action concerning the layoffs. Qantas has been involved in protracted legal proceedings over this issue for several years, and this judgment marks a notable phase in that ongoing dispute.
In addition to the recent fine, Qantas is also expected to pay A$120 million in compensation to the laid-off workers in 2024, following a series of unsuccessful appeals in court related to this matter. The outcome of this case raises questions about the implications for employer-employee relations during and after crisis periods.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0dy7mm0l7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss