7-Eleven Australia has announced that chairman Russ Withers and chief executive Warren Wilmot will leave their posts immediately, in response to the worker's exploitation scandal the company is embroiled in.

A joint investigation by Fairfax Media and Four Corners earlier this year had revealed that workers at 7-11 were working twice as much but were not properly compensated. The investigators also uncovered the collusion taking place between owners at hundreds of 7-Eleven stores across Australia.

Wilmot handed in his resignation on Wednesday and said that given the circumstances, it would be more appropriate for a new independent chief executive to lead the firm.

Withers, founder and chairman of the business, said he would be replaced by non-executive director and deputy chair of the retail giant, Michael Smith, bringing forward the existing succession plan by 18 months. In his official statement, Withers noted that while he will be stepping down as chairman of the firm, he will remain a shareholder and continue to ensure that the company moves forward in good hands.

7-Eleven was allegedly paying its workers below the minimum wage, with reports revealing last month that the firm’s franchises were paying employees as little as AU$10 an hour. Last August, the company’s payroll from 225 stores were reviewed and it was found out that 69 percent had on going payroll issues.

The firm is set to make further investigations regarding the allegations with the help of Australia’s workplace rights ombudsman and accounting firm Ernst & Young.

7-Eleven has a licence to operate in Australia and is from the U.S.-based 7-Eleven Inc. It has been in the country for 38 years.

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