(ATR) Australian Olympic Committee executive Russell Withers is the chairman of 7-Eleven Australia who is currently embroiled in a wage controversy.
A joint media investigation from Four Corners and Fairfax Media into labor practices at 7-Eleven chains claims the convenience store chain has systemically underpaid workers for years.
An anonymous insider of the company told reporters many employees made less than minimum wage and sometimes went unpaid for weeks on end.
As a result of the investigation, Withers has decided to step down from his elevated position within the Australian Olympic Committee.
"What's required of me as 7-Eleven Stores chairman means I cannot give the AOC the commitment and clarity such a role deserves and demands," Withers said in a statement.
The decision from Withers came after a discussion he had with the president of the AOC and IOC vice president John Coates. Withers told Coates he would do whatever Coates thought was the best course of action.
"I wanted to let you know that I am in your hands and happy to either stand aside or stand down from my AOC roles," Withers told Coates.
Coates was en route to Lausanne, Switzerland at the time the news report broke implicating Withers in the scandal. He recognized Withers’ several years of service within the committee he had served on since 2001.
"Russell has made an outstanding contribution to the AOC since 2001. It is a voluntary role, and he has been extremely generous with his time and we have benefited greatly from his input as chairman of the AOC Audit Committee, a member of the AOC Finance Commission and as a director of the Australian Olympic Foundation and member of its Investment Advisory Committee," Coates said in a statement.
After serving on the committee for 15 years, Withers does not want to entangle the AOC with the scandal his personal business is facing.
"I certainly don’t want to see any blowback onto the AOC, particularly when the AOC runs to such high governance standards. Continuing claims about 7-Eleven and its business cannot be allowed to pollute the AOC's work," Withers said.
Following the wage allegations, 7-Eleven is setting up a panel to review these underpayment claims by the investigation funded solely by the company. They are also increasing their financial support to franchisees offering up to $310,000 in aid.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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