Professor Allan Fels is set to head up a migrant taskforce designed to crackdown on systemic wage fraud across the country. And 7-Eleven is on the radar.
Employment minister Michaelia Cash launched the new taskforce last week, which will be chaired by Professor Allan Fels and Dr David Cousins; deputy chair.
Both were sacked from the independent Fels Wage Fairness Panel investigating 7-Eleven in May.
“Professor Fels’ experience in this area will be a valuable asset to the taskforce, which is tasked with developing strategies across government to stamp out exploitation of vulnerable migrant workers,” said Senator Cash, in a report by Fairfax Media.
Professor Fels said it was no accident the government placed 7-Eleven at the top of the list of taskforce actions.
“The taskforce is an action committee that will make recommendations to the government on policy and law,” he said.
“The government’s initiative is highly welcome. The taskforce is committed to every action possible to rid this country of underpayment of migrant workers.”
The taskforce will be a multi-agency approach, including members of:
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Border Force
- Attorney-General’s Department, Treasury
- Department of Employment
- and the Fair Work Ombudsman
A spokesman for 7-Eleven said the company had so far paid out $35 million to hundreds of workers.
“7-Eleven welcomes the opportunity for an open and transparent discussion on improved regulatory and compliance regimes across industries given underpayment of wages is economy wide,” he said.
“7-Eleven is in advanced discussions with the regulator on a comprehensive compliance partnership and looks forward to concluding this in the weeks ahead.”
The new taskforce is expected to hold its first meeting on October 21.