“For my overtime it was just explained that that was just how it is, and I can just suck it up and work the job, or leave,” she told the panel.
“And I definitely think that this is systemic across the entire industry.”
“I completely believe there's more to come. I personally have money owing to me,” she continued.
“There's a group of people I used to work with that I'm in contact with still that haven't been contacted by this second or third wave of media around the MAdE establishment wage saga.
“So I completely believe that there's more back payments to be paid.”
Since news broke of the shock allegations against Calimbaris’, viewers of MasterChef have flocked to social media, calling for the 40-year-old to be axed from the show – a sentiment Belfrage agrees with.
“There are so many either employers, business owners or chefs that do the right thing with paying their workers and have good principles. They should be rewarded - if you want to call it that - by being able to be on those shows.
“It shouldn't be given to people that are just so against the good principles and the law within the hospitality industry.”
The former staffer admitted that George’s celebrity status more than likely meant that he was being made an example of in an industry that is rife with misconduct.
“There's just something that's so hard to stomach about a multi, multi-millionaire taking millions of dollars off his workers and just reaping huge profits and benefits from it,” she explained.
“Of course, that's going to be something that puts him under fire more than other people.
“Also, the fact that he's historically been outspoken against penalty rates for workers and other workers entitlements.”
