Convenience store chain, 7-Eleven, has requested the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to share information that it has reported in new allegations of wage underpayments by a 7-Eleven franchisee.

Earlier this week, the ABC reported that a franchised Brisbane 7-Eleven was paying its employees the correct minimum wage but then asking the employees to return up the half of their pay, claiming they could not afford to pay the full rate.

7-Eleven has since responded to the payback allegations saying it is “appalled” and has requested the ABC provide information to help 7-Eleven internal investigations on the matter.

Chief Executive Officer of 7-Eleven Australia, Angus McKay, said there should be no doubt 7-Eleven has a zero tolerance of wage fraud.

“We have aggressively investigated the claims since they were shared with us last week,” McKay said.

“If they are proven, we will act upon any illegal Franchisee activity, up to and including termination of their Franchise Agreement. Until they are proven or otherwise, it is unfair to jump to conclusions,” he said.

7-Eleven said the former employee involved in the ABC investigation has declined several invitations to come forward and discuss the matter with 7-Eleven. 7-Eleven also said no staff members have raised concerns about the store before or during their own investigation.

The convenience chain has been under pressure since September 2015 when an ABC-Fairfax investigation alleged widespread employee underpayment across its franchised stores.

Official investigation and payback efforts have been occurring since then with a new Chief Executive Officer (Angus McKay) being appointed in March 2016.

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