The FNV accuses transport companies working for IKEA of exploiting drivers and fraud with driving and rest periods. The union is filing a report against the companies today.
The companies in question are ECS (Zeebrugge and Venlo), Samskip Van Dieren (Genemuiden and Rotterdam) and Brinkman TransHolland (Emmen). FNV conducted an international investigation into the IKEA transporters and came across a number of abuses. These included falsified wage documents, tax evasion and inhumane living conditions for drivers who have to spend the night en route. The union speaks of "socio-economic crime".
IKEA must also put on the union's fines. According to FNV, the Swedish furniture giant benefits from strong competition among itself. This forces transport companies to offer very competitive rates and exploit their drivers. FNV believes IKEA has a responsibility as a client to ensure fair transport.
According to NRC, the Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) already raided Brinkman's premises last weekend. The company is suspected of using cheap foreign drivers. In doing so, it uses sham constructions by having branches in Poland and Moldova on paper. The ILT suspects Brinkman of simply managing the companies from the Netherlands, however. For its part, the transport company denies having foreign branches and sham constructions. It allegedly does work with charter companies in Bulgaria, for example. "But those sub-contractors are at a distance, we have no union with them," Michael Brinkman told the NRC. Brinkman will press charges against the FNV for libel and slander. Samskip Van Dieren and ECS were also previously taken to task by the ILT. They could not be reached for comment last weekend, writes the NRC. To the newspaper, the Social Affairs Ministry's Inspectorate SZW confirmed that the FNV's report will be received today. The inspection says it is taking the FNV's signals very seriously.
IKEA has also responded in writing. The furniture retailer says that due to its large volumes, it is usually able to negotiate attractive price agreements. However, the company denies that this would encourage price pressure and malpractices.
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