The Federal Court of Australia has ordered BHP (ASX:BHP) to compensate 85 coal mine workers between AU$800 and AU$2,400 each for being unlawfully required to work the public holidays in 2019 at BHP's Daunia mine, according to a Tuesday judgement disclosure by the court.

BHP was penalised a further AU$15,000 payable to the Mining and Energy Union (MEU).

"These workers were directed to work public holidays with no consultation or agreement. Their names were drawn out of a hat. Some had to find babysitters for children on Christmas Day or missed parents' and relatives' last Christmas celebrations," said MEU Queensland President Mitch Hughes.

"Mining operates around the clock, every day of the year, to provide the materials the world needs. This includes on public holidays," said a BHP spokesperson in a response to MT Newswires' email request for comment.

"We will continue to comply with the court's decision relating to public holiday rosters," the spokesperson added.