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A TK Maxx store in Melbourne's west is facing more than $600,000 in fines for allegedly breaching child employment laws.
The global discount retailer has been hit with 33 criminal charges after allegedly breaching Victoria's child employment laws at its Werribee store.
It will be alleged the store employed two children under 15 without a permit on 12 occasions, failed to ensure children were supervised by someone with a working with children check and did not provide a 30-minute rest break for every three hours work.
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A child was also allegedly employed for more hours than they were permitted to work and worked shifts beyond 9pm.
The maximum penalty for each offence is $18,429.
Under the state's child employment laws, a permit or license is required to employ children younger than 15.
There are also conditions on how long children under 15 can work during a school term, and they must be supervised by someone who holds a Victorian Working with Children Clearance.
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The matter has been listed for mention in Melbourne's Magistrates' Court on November 8.
The charges were a result of a child employment compliance blitz by Wage Inspectorate officers during the 2022/2023 school summer holidays.
They inspected 169 businesses at eight shopping centres across Melbourne, including Chadstone, Southland, Eastland and Highpoint.
The crackdown led to four investigations and 29 suspected offences detected at four businesses, which included TK Maxx.
The three other businesses received official warnings.
9News.com.au has contacted TK Maxx for comment.
