Two hospitality workers owed thousands of dollars by a well-known Melbourne restaurant company are still waiting for wages and entitlements — despite winning legal action against their former employer.

Key points: In August a court ruled Immersive Group had to pay Mr Thakur more than $12,000 in wages

In August a court ruled Immersive Group had to pay Mr Thakur more than $12,000 in wages Immersive Group's chief executive John Isherwood admitted the company owed money to some former staff

Immersive Group's chief executive John Isherwood admitted the company owed money to some former staff Monash University Faculty of Law associate professor Genevieve Grant said the workers' story was not uncommon for the hospitality industry

Immersive Group runs the St Kilda restaurant Tolarno Eating House and Bar, which is known for its colourful interior murals by the iconic Melbourne artist Mirka Mora.

The company also ran kitchens in other Melbourne venues, under catering contracts that ended in early 2019.

Immersive Group's chief executive John Isherwood admitted the company owed money to some former staff and was trying to pay off debts.

But that is little solace for those owed money.

Parmal Singh Thakur worked as a chef at Tolarno Eating House and Bar and other Immersive Group venues for more than two years.

He went on holidays to India to visit his family in early 2019 and while he was away, noticed his annual leave was not paid.

"I tried to contact [Immersive Group]. I called them. Messaged them. Emailed them," he said.

"No reply. No payment. Nothing."

Immersive Group runs the St Kilda restaurant Tolarno Eating House and Bar. ( Facebook: Tolarno Eating House & Bar )

He kept working for the company when he got back from holidays, but continued to have problems getting paid.

"I was working for them for free so I gave them my resignation letter," he said.

Months after leaving the job, Mr Thakur had still not been paid, so he got advice from the Fair Work Ombudsman and lodged a civil claim for payment in the Federal Circuit Court.

In August, the Court found in Mr Thakur's favour, and ordered Immersive Group to pay him more than $12,000 in wages and annual leave within 21 days.

Unpaid worker takes out loan to survive

That deadline has now lapsed and Mr Thakur said he has still not seen his money.

"I thought a small claim was going to help me," he said.

Mr Thakur has a mortgage, and had to borrow money off his parents and take out a small loan to survive.

In a statement, Mr Isherwood disputed how much annual leave it owes Mr Thakur, but said the company was planning to give him his wages on a payment plan.

Mr Thakur is one of three former Immersive Group employees that have won small claims in the Federal Circuit Court this year over unpaid wages and entitlements.

Chef Parmal Singh Thakur says he had to take out a loan after not getting paid by his former employer. ( Supplied: Parmal Singh Thakur )

Former events manager Anouk Van Doren won in court in July and is also still waiting for $4,500 in unpaid wages, superannuation and expenses.

Sorry, this audio has expired Ms Van Doren speaks to ABC Radio Melbourne

"It's really frustrating," Ms Van Doren said.

"I'm just not being paid for the hours I've worked. I can't wrap my head around that.

"The system is complicated. You really have to find your way. You have to contact a lawyer. That's not for free either."

In the statement, Mr Isherwood said it was also working on a payment plan for Ms Van Doren.

Four former suppliers of Immersive Group have taken it to court over unpaid bills totalling more than $17,000.

After nobody from the company showed up in court, they were ordered to pay up under a default judgement.

Three of those suppliers told the ABC they were still owed money.

In the statement, Mr Isherwood said the company had "significantly paid down debt and continues to do so".

"As with many small businesses in Australia, some operating periods can be difficult."

Wage theft not uncommon in hospitality industry

Monash University Faculty of Law associate professor Genevieve Grant said the workers' story was not uncommon for the hospitality industry.

"I think it's far more common than people think," she said.

Dr Grant said people who were not paid despite a court order could go back to the courts for enforcement or to liquidate the company's assets for payment, but that also carried costs which the worker would only recoup if the employer paid up.

"To have to be swept up in further legal processes and steps in order to get what you're entitled to would seem very unfair," she said.

She said there needed to be more focus on prevention of disputes and a simplification of court processes so that claimants "know what they're in for" before taking action.

Experts say it's not uncommon for hospitality employers to fail to pay up. ( CCO/picjumbo.com )

A union that advocates for hospitality workers said workers were being let down by the small claims system.

"The simple fact is that we need a fit-for-purpose court that is cheap, fast and easy to use for workers," United Voice Victorian secretary Ben Redford said.

Ms Van Doren and Mr Thakur are both unsure if they will go further with legal action.

"If I know my money is going to come, maybe yes. But if I know there is nothing that will happen, maybe no," Mr Thakur said.

Unpaid wages leave former chef jaded

The ABC can reveal that another former chef at Immersive Group is also planning to take legal action over allegations of unpaid wages.

Narendra Joshi used to work as a chef at Tolarno Eating House & Bar. ( ABC News: Emilia Terzon )

Narendra Joshi said he hoped court action would achieve something.

"I just don't want to give up. I want to say yes, I have done something," he said.

"But I'm not sure how effective it's going to be, because previously other people have gone to court and the verdict hasn't been respected."

In the statement, Mr Isherwood said the amount owed to Mr Joshi was "significantly lower" than the $15,000 he claims, and that "payments have already been made to this with a resolution anticipated in the near term".

Narendra Joshi stopped working as a chef and now teaches cooking. ( ABC News: Emilia Terzon )

Mr Joshi said his experience at Immersive Group and hearing media reports of low wages in the Australian hospitality industry has left him so jaded, that he has stopped working as a chef and now teaches cooking at a school in Melbourne instead.

"I decided to get out of the industry."

Mirka Mora's estate is not involved in running Immersive Group.

