Jetstar and two other part-owned Qantas companies are being taken to court for allegedly underpaying Thai cabin crew staff working on domestic routes in Australia.

In a litigation meeting yesterday, a Fair Work Ombudsman said the “pay rate is unacceptable”, with staff supposedly being paid half the cost required to meet minimum entitlements.

Currently up to eight foreign workers are involved in the dispute against Jetstar and part-owned Qantas recruiting companies, Valuair Limited and Tour East Limited, however, the Government owned workplace ombudsman expects further action could involve up to 300 international cabin crew rostered across Jetstar’s domestic routes.

Although the airline refuted allegations, Fair Work Ombudsman said it was seeking a $7500 reimbursement for the eight staff members as well as penalties from the Qantas subsidiary.

“Court documents allege Tour East and Valuair pays its cabin crew proportionately for its Australian work up to half of what they are otherwise entitled,” the Fair Work group noted.

“The Fair Work Ombudsman submits that whilst working on Jetstar’s Australian domestic flights, the crews are entitled to rates stipulated under the Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2010.

“The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges Jetstar Airways was knowingly a party to underpayment contraventions.

“It alleges Jetstar rosters the foreign cabin crews onto its Australian domestic flights and is aware of the rates they are being paid.”

The Group also noted that court documents submitted found that Jetstar contracts includes a clause that gives the airline the power to control salary and performance reviews, rostering and foreign crew duties.