In 2017 the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union has exposed that Bakers Delight outlets operated by Caden Group Pty Ltd have not been paying the legal minimum wages, with many workers entitled to minimum Award conditions being paid incorrectly under old zombie agreements. On 8 December 2017, the Federal Circuit Court determined that many of these workers were entitled to Award conditions since the commencement of their employment (see MLG1193_2017). We are concerned this issue will affect many other Bakers Delight workers. Bakers Delight Holdings has not responded to our requests to undertake an audit.

Ava and her co-workers have been campaigning for fair wages and conditions - just the minimum Award wage and rights. Until now they haven't had penalty rates, fair breaks, guaranteed hours or many other rights. They thought they had won in February 2017 when the operator of their Bakers Delight outlet admitted they should have those conditions but then their employer took them to court to argue a dodgy old zombie agreement applied instead. By sticking together and standing up they won. Now Bakers Delight needs to take responsibility, backpay these staff, and audit all other outlets to ensure no worker is getting ripped off.

We have also exposed the use of unlawful child labour by at least one other Bakers Delight franchise - kids in workplaces using commercial ovens, slicers and knives. Bakers Delight Holdings has refused to undertake an audit on the use of child labour in all its franchises.

Bakers Delight makes a fortune but doesn't take responsibility for what is happening in their outlets. It's time for an audit, a commitment to stamp out unlawful child labour and a promise to backpay every worker ripped off.