Retail in Asia

7-Eleven Australia appoints former detective for wage fraud inquiry

Scandal-plagued convenience chain 7-Eleven has appointed a former police officer to investigate criminal activity and fraud within its Australian empire.

7-Eleven has made the appointment amid the continued fallout from revelations by Fairfax Media and Four Corners of systemic wage abuse at its 620 stores, which involved franchisees paying workers as little as AUD5 an hour.

Interim chief executive Bob Baily said the former police officer would investigate any suspected serious breach of workplace laws. "The appointment of the investigator adds an additional layer to 7-Eleven’s compliance protocols, which include store audits, enhanced payroll, timesheet and rostering procedures," Mr Baily said in a statement.