Conditions of foreign staff in Australian 7-Eleven stores arouse concern
Xinhua, September 2, 2015 Adjust font size:
The Australian Labor Party says any foreign 7-Eleven workers who breached visa rules while working for one of the company's stores should be given an amnesty.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Four Corners TV program uncovered widespread exploitation of 7-Eleven staff that has been likened to modern slavery.
Most 7-Eleven workers are foreign students on restricted visas, allowing them to work 20 hours per week, but many are being forced to work longer hours than they are allowed, putting them at risk of deportation.
They are also underpaid.
Labor senator Deborah O'Neill has called on the government to provide amnesty for the students working beyond allowed hours.
"Well, clearly it's got to be cleaned up. This cannot be allowed to continue," she said.
"What I'm calling for is for the government to actually provide an amnesty for the people who are currently working at 7-Eleven stores who have been caught up in a scam of wage fraud."
7-Eleven's management put the blame for the exploitation on its franchisees, but Four Corners revealed the head office knew it was happening.
The company has announced an independent review into the claims. Endi