A majority of distribution centres in the Netherlands do not comply with corona measures and safety rules. According to the Social Affairs and Employment Inspectorate (SZW), this is the case at seven out of ten distribution centres. Also, breaks are often too short and people are paid below the minimum wage.
200 checks
This writes NRC based on reports from the Inspectorate SZW. Last year, the inspectorate inspected over two hundred distribution centres in the Netherlands. Conclusion: many DCs flout corona measures and ignore safety rules. In a number of cases, employees were paid less than the minimum wage. At 14 locations, the inspectorate is investigating whether rules were actually broken. A fine may follow.
No distance
2019 already revealed that many DCs were not complying with the rules. The inspectorate feared that this year's rush would add to it. "The risk of violating corona measures, workplace accidents, working too long and being underpaid will only increase with this extra rush."
Last week, the inspectorate revealed that half of employees in distribution centres cannot keep their distance. This is not without risks, as aerosols containing virus particles thrive in colder storage areas.
Shady employment agencies
Things often go wrong at temping agencies, Philip Meijran, project leader at the Inspectorate SZW and coordinator of checks at distribution centres, tells NRC. Large temping agencies often have their affairs in order, but they sometimes outsource tasks to smaller parties. These sometimes include 'shadowy' temping agencies. They operate on the edge of the collective labour agreement and work with migrant workers for whom they also arrange accommodation. A dangerous construction, Meijran believes. After all, migrant workers have to move out of their homes as soon as they lose their jobs.
