The chairman and major shareholder of 7-Eleven Russ Withers will take the hot seat on Thursday when he fronts a senate hearing to explain systemic wage fraud, a head office cover-up and a franchise model that has been described as indentured slavery.
The senate hearing comes on the eve of a critical board meeting to discuss options that will radically change the franchise model in an attempt to stop the 620 franchise network imploding.
Since Four Corners and Fairfax Media jointly exposed the "half pay scam" last month all hell has broken loose with the franchisees. Many claim they will not be able to survive financially if they have to pay the correct wages.
(Source: The Sydney Morning Herald Online )