One of Australia’s largest flyer distribution companies is facing thousands of charges after allegedly breaching Victoria’s child labour laws.
On Monday, Wage Inspectorate Victoria announced Ive Distributions Pty Ltd would face prosecution accused of allowing children under the age of 15 to work without permits on 2425 occasions.
The child employment watchdog will allege more than 400 children worked for the company between July and September last year delivering catalogues and flyers to homes across the state.
The company faces fines of up to $18,429 per breach of the law.
Its parent company, IVE Group, promotes itself as Australia’s largest distribution network, able to reach seven million homes per week.
“Australia’s leading brands trust IVE to make sure their flyers and catalogues reach the hands of their customers,” its website reads.
“We make pamphlet delivery a piece of cake for small businesses.”
In Victoria, children aged 11 and over can deliver newspapers and advertising material provided the employer holds a child employment permit or licence.
The company is expected to face the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in October.
In a statement, IVE Group executive chairman Geoff Selig said the company became aware of Victoria’s requirement of child employment permits in July last year and had worked “cooperatively with the regulator”.
“To this end, IVE Distribution was granted a General Child Employment Licence for use in Victoria on August 22,” he said.
“The walker network has operated in Australia for over 40 years and is an important component of IVE’s broad retail offering.
A small percentage of our walkers have always been children under the age of 15. Across the country, IVE obtains parental consent (and other appropriate checks) for all children under the age of 15, prior to their commencement.”
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