Exploitation claim against Geelong 7-Eleven store
Article from the Geelong Advertiser February 7th 2009
A Geelong 7-Eleven store is being investigated after claims some workers are being paid as little as $5 an hour. An employee claimed franchise management was bullying staff to work 24-hour shifts or face getting the sack.
Geelong Trades Hall said there were complaints some workers at the Moorabool St convenience shop were forced to do two-month unpaid trials and students on international visas were paid less than Australian citizens.
The Workplace Ombudsman yesterday confirmed it was investigating the CBD store after receiving complaints.
An employee of a 7-Eleven store, who did not wish to be named, said he had previously worked at a store from 9pm to 10am and most staff were paid hourly rates between $8 and $10, which was later taxed.
“We work Saturday nights and are abused and pushed and see all kinds of violence and only get paid $10 without any penalties,” he said.
Geelong Trades Hall secretary Tim Gooden said the minimum average wage was $13.78.
“The employees are threatened and intimidated if they raise any issues with their bosses,” Mr Gooden said. “International students are paid less than Australian students.
“This is blatant exploitation and intimidation.”
Victoria’s fast food and retail workers union, UNITE, alleges a worker was stood down from a Geelong 7-Eleven store for making a complaint and some employees have told the union they get paid $5 an hour.
Mr Gooden said he feared some workers were not being taxed and therefore, their rights to workers’ compensation were foregone.
“If they chop their finger off or hurt their back there is no going back once, the damage is done,” he said.
“If they are not paying tax, they don’t make complaints to the owner because they know they could lose their student visas or those on (Centrelink benefits) could be jailed for welfare fraud and some employers play on this.”
Workplace Ombudsman spokesman Ryan Pedler said the watchdog was auditing several 7-Eleven stores across Victoria, including Geelong’s Moorabool St franchise.
“(The) audits involve our inspectors checking that the correct rates of pay are being provided, including penalty rates for weekends and late nights, and that the employer is keeping appropriate records and issuing pay slips in accordance with workplace relations laws,” Mr Pedler said.
7-Eleven’s head office did not return the Geelong Advertiser’s calls yesterday.
A protest will take place outside the Moorabool St 7-Eleven on Friday at noon demanding the world-wide chain change its work practices and the worker stood down to be reinstated.