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Even Wal-Mart is
overshadowed by Lidl - Germany's probably worst commerce employer rules over
workers by intimidation and fear Lidl in Germany must be something of the worst that European retailing has ever seen in the way of systematic violations of workers' and trade union rights. Like a student sometimes wants to overshadow his master, Lidl seems to take walmartization of its employer policies to new heights. The retailer of headband fame - who allegedly required its Czech women workers to wear special headbands during their monthly periods, to be able to use the toilets during working time - seems to go on with its brutal approach, at least at home in Germany. Management by fear, that is what Lidl is engaging in, according to statements from UNI Commerce affiliate ver.di. As most Lidl workers are women, it was appropriate that ver.di marked the International Women's Day on 8 March with a support action for the Lidl workers. This time, commerce unions from other European countries took part in the action, which underlined the need for workers to get organised in order to defend their rights. German workers under pressure from Lidl The German Lidl workers are under much pressure, particularly if they try to get organised in ver.di. The management makes no secret about its unwillingness to accept trade unions or shop stewards, and has even closed stores rather than accept a unionisation. Wal-Mart's infamous closing of its Canadian store in Jonquière when the workers dared to join their union has in fact been repeated by Lidl in Germany, although with less publicity. Worst off are those brave workers, who dare to stand up for their colleagues and to get elected as shop stewards. They are soon put under pressure, mobbed by managers and even outright fired. Commercially, Lidl has been a fast expanding company, riding on the wave of hard discounting and low prices. But there is another side to the story: Frequently, the company comes out at the end of the list when consumer confidence is measured. There have also been embarrassing food scandals, particularly in Sweden, where the German discounter has been found out for less than correct consumer information concerning the quality and origin of its products. Mobilisation in Europe In other European countries, UNI Commerce affiliates participated in the Women's Day action. They included Solidarnosc in Poland, OSPO in the Czech Republic, GPA in Austria, Filcams in Italy and CGT Commerce in France. In the Nordic countries, where Lidl has adapted to the existing collective agreements, commerce unions asked the country managements to intervene with Germany to secure respect for workers' rights in the home country. UNI Commerce and ver.di have recently published an English translation of the Black Book on Lidl, and continues to support the action to bring the expansive retailer into the realm of orderly employer behaviour and labour relations. Lidl should understand that its anti-worker and anti-union approach makes no sense and that it will not be able to get any competitive advantage in Germany through its social dumping.
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