Tough punishment for service station retailer after low-wage workers were left out of pocket
A convenience store operator faces a month in prison and a massive fine after failing to pay workers more than $40,000 in wages.
Luai Namo, who ran shops attached to five Shell service stations in Scarborough, Ontario, owes 14 staff, including 12 minimum wage-earners, between $400 and $5000 each, totalling $46,537.45.
Namo failed to pay the wages after being ordered to do so by a Ministry of Labour employment standards officer.
This month, Namo was sentenced to 30 days in jail and $40,000 in fines for breaching the Employment Standards Act.
His company, 674841 Ontario Inc., was fined $84,000 – $6000 for each of the 14 charges laid.
Justice of the Peace Carol L. Seglins, of the Provincial Offences Court at Newmarket, also imposed a 25 percent victim fine surcharge, to go to a provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
It was understood that the store had not been part of the Shell network for more than two years now.
Shell Canada spokesman Cameron Yost told HRD the petrol giant was “disappointed that a former independent Shell retailer did not live up to his obligations and responsibilities.”
“We take our responsibilities to the communities we are a part of very seriously and have provided information to investigators as requested,” he said.
Related stories:
Employer jailed following wage failure
Director, company fined $90k for unpaid wages
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Luai Namo, who ran shops attached to five Shell service stations in Scarborough, Ontario, owes 14 staff, including 12 minimum wage-earners, between $400 and $5000 each, totalling $46,537.45.
Namo failed to pay the wages after being ordered to do so by a Ministry of Labour employment standards officer.
This month, Namo was sentenced to 30 days in jail and $40,000 in fines for breaching the Employment Standards Act.
His company, 674841 Ontario Inc., was fined $84,000 – $6000 for each of the 14 charges laid.
Justice of the Peace Carol L. Seglins, of the Provincial Offences Court at Newmarket, also imposed a 25 percent victim fine surcharge, to go to a provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
It was understood that the store had not been part of the Shell network for more than two years now.
Shell Canada spokesman Cameron Yost told HRD the petrol giant was “disappointed that a former independent Shell retailer did not live up to his obligations and responsibilities.”
“We take our responsibilities to the communities we are a part of very seriously and have provided information to investigators as requested,” he said.
Related stories:
Employer jailed following wage failure
Director, company fined $90k for unpaid wages
Want the latest HR news direct to your inbox? Sign up for HRD Canada's daily newsletter.
