A Muffin Break franchisee in Westfield Southland Shopping Centre, Rianshi Pty Ltd., has been charged with 360 counts of child labor violations by the Wage Inspectorate Victoria. Between March and October 2022, the franchise failed to comply with the Child Employment Act 2003, according to the inspectorate. Rianshi Pty Ltd. is alleged to have committed five different violations, such as employing three children under the age of 15 without a permit, failing in supervision, not allowing breaks, and making children work for more extended periods than allowed by law. The maximum penalty per violation is $18,174. The case will be heard in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 15. This is the eighth child employment prosecution to be initiated by the inspectorate in the last 18 months. In Victoria, the minimum age for employment is 15, and employers need permission for under-15 employees before they start. Muffin Break has 275 coffee shop franchises throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and is a sister company of Jamaica Blue.
Victoria will begin implementing new child employment regulations in July. A licensing scheme will replace the existing permission system, enabling several children to be employed under one permission rather than separate registration for each under-15 worker. Entertainment businesses can get a 12-month license, while other areas can request 24-month permits. Employers will also have to declare a nominated officer or employer representative to ensure compliance with licensing conditions, and there will be a public register of all child employment license holders in Victoria.