Working conditions in Albert Heijn's distribution centres were a topic of discussion in the Dutch House of Representatives last week. MP Jasper van Dijk (SP) asked parliamentary questions about the treatment of Eastern European temporary workers in Albert Heijn's DCs.
Van Dijk was responding to an article in De Groene Amsterdammer, which revealed that Albert Heijn uses Eastern Europeans, who sort groceries for uncertain wages and under high pressure.At the end of their shift, they are 'tucked away' in the woods or on the outskirts of the city in houses for which a high rent has to be paid. Temporary workers work on short-term contracts, have rosters that are not known until the evening before and partly unpaid on-call shifts, writes De Groene Amsterdammer.
Unachievable targets
Van Dijk asked minister Koolmees (Social Affairs and Employment) for an opinion on the abuses mentioned. According to him, temporary workers would not even dare to go to the loo because of the unachievable targets set.
Reaction minister Koolmees
Minister Koolmees, in his answer to the parliamentary questions, does not address the article in De Groene. He argues that it is an employer's duty to maintain good working conditions. NGO FairWork's subsidised project should inform migrant workers of their rights.
'Prevent departure of temporary workers'
In the article, Marco van Grinsven, vice-president logistics at the supermarket chain, argues that employees are not at all bothered by the imposed targets. "If the temporary worker really minded it that much, he would leave," he said. According to Koolmees, it is up to the employer to ensure that temporary workers do not feel compelled to leave. Koolmees: "It is the employer's job to ensure good working conditions and to shape the prevention of occupational risks. In doing so, the employer should take signals from temporary workers about perceived working conditions and the desire to improve them seriously and prevent the departure of temporary workers for this reason."
