SYDNEY: An Australian court fined Qantas A$90 million (US$59 million) on Monday (Aug 18) for illegally laying off 1,800 ground staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, ending a five-year legal battle over the workers' rights.

A judge has fined Qantas Airways $59 million for illegally firing over 1,800 ground staff at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A JUDGE fined Qantas Airways AU$90 million (around £44m) today for illegally sacking more than 1,800 ground staff as the Covid-19 pandemic began. The penalty is in addition to the AU$120m (£58m) in compensation that Qantas had already agreed to pay its former employees.