TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Renowned Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung's (鼎泰豐) overseas branches in Australia faced backlash following reports of wage underpayment and falsified records, according to media reports on Thursday (March 6). Local residents reported that two branches were closed, with its signage removed.
According to media reports, Din Tai Fung's Australian outlets in Sydney and Melbourne engaged in wage theft since July 2016, as revealed by court documents last April. The violations included paying below the legal minimum wage, failing to pay overtime, and not providing shift allowances, affecting mostly foreign workers under 30 holding temporary visas.
The Federal Court of Australia fined the franchise AU$4 million (approximately NT$82.25 million) for these violations. The closure of the Sydney branch, with its original staff reportedly continuing under a new restaurant name, raises questions about franchise management and accountability.
The controversy sparked widespread discussion online. Many online users compared the situation to similar incidents at Woolworths and 7-Eleven in Australia. Some comments highlighted that an Indonesian Chinese businessman owned the Din Tai Fung franchise in Australia, attributing the issues to a "dishonest" business.
