Senate should probe 7-Eleven claim: Greens
Alleged exploitation of 7-Eleven workers on half-wages and long hours should be investigated in a special Senate inquiry, the Greens have said.
A joint Fairfax-Four Corners investigation found up to two-thirds of the company's stores could be ripping off workers, mainly foreigners on student visas.
The investigation into the convenience store chain found that up to two thirds of workers are being exploited, paid as little at $10 an hour before tax. The award is $24 an hour.
Workers are said to be shunted between franchises who collude in what's known as the "half pay" scam.
Sam Pendem, a 7-Eleven employee from India where he earned three degrees, spoke about his recurring nightmares after being robbed at knife point twice in 18 hours in 2011.
Often working 16 hours shifts at four different 7-Elevens on the Gold Coast, Pendem was berated by his boss for not fighting the robber off and preventing him from stealing $180 from the till.
Sam Pendem was robbed while working at 7-Eleven in 2011. He said his boss berated him for not fighting back. Source: Fairfax/ABC
"Ah should fight or do throw the till on him, something, punch him. Why did you give the money like?" he recalled.
Staff were allegedly threatened with visa cancellations if they spoke up.
The wages regulator raided 20 stores across Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in September last year to seize rosters, timesheets and security footage. They found 60 percent of staff were being underpaid.
Raids on 20 7-Elevens in the eastern states found 60 percent of workers were being under paid. Source: AAP
The Fair Work Ombudsman did not provide comment on the alleged exploitation as it continues its own investigation.
Greens MP from the seat of Melbourne Adam Bandt has called for an inquiry into the claims.
"I will refer these shocking claims to the current Senate inquiry into Australia's working visa program and request they hold a special hearing into these reports," Greens MP Adam Bandt said on Saturday.
