Qantas has been ordered by the Federal Court to pay $170,000 in compensation to three workers who were illegally fired during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, the High Court ruled that the company violated the law by laying off 1,700 ground crew members in August 2020.
In the Federal Court in Sydney this morning, Judge Michael Lee ruled that Qantas would have to pay different compensation based on three scenarios.
Accordingly, the judge ordered that three workers should be compensated in the amount of $30,000, $40,000 and $100,000 respectively for their dismissal.
Lawyers for the airline and the Transport Workers Union are said to be working to determine the final amount of compensation for lost income for the 1,700 laid-off crew members.
It is reported that Qantas will have to pay tens of millions of dollars in damages according to this decision.
