7-Eleven Australia accused of widespread exploitation

7-Eleven Australia is under the spotlight after reports have emerged of alleged management cover-up of widespread exploitation, with workers getting paid for only half of their working hours.

Australia´s largest petrol and convenience retailer is being investigated for wage theft at their franchised stores, with reports saying the scam went all their way to senior management, reported News Australia.

Dubbed the “half-pay scam”, workers in 7-Eleven franchised stores were allegedly paid for only half of the hours they worked, with timetables and ‘ghost workers’ filling up the books before franchises sent the paperwork to head offices.

The alleged wage abuse meant workers were getting paid as little as $10 an hour, less than half the $24 an hour award rate.

“7-Eleven is extremely disappointed that a number of franchisees have chosen not to meet their obligations as employers,” has said the company in a statement.

“We are deeply concerned about the personal impact on affected employees or former employees, and the damage such actions cause to franchisees who are trusted, reliable and responsible small business owners, meeting their obligations as employers,” read the statement.

According to competition and industry experts, if the alleged widespread scam was proven true, it would be hard to believe the company´s senior management was not aware of it.

7-Eleven franchises more than 450 stores across Australia, and has been operating in the country for 38 years.