Amazon sacks firm alleged of German temp abuse
19 February 2013
A German security firm variously reported as ‘linked to the country’s far-right’ by the Financial Times and by broadcaster Sky having ‘alleged neo-Nazi links’ has had its contract with online retailer Amazon suspended after reports it harassed and intimidated overseas temporary workers.
Tue, 19 Feb 2013A German security firm variously reported as ‘linked to the country’s far-right’ by the Financial Times and by broadcaster Sky having ‘alleged neo-Nazi links’ has had its contract with online retailer Amazon suspended after reports it harassed and intimidated overseas temporary workers.
Amazon cancelled the contract with Hensel European Security Services (HESS) on Monday with immediate effect. A spokesperson for the e-retail giant tells Recruiter it takes the allegations "very seriously".
This follows a documentary aired last week by German broadcaster ARD, which spoke with several seasonal agency staff from Poland, Spain and elsewhere in Europe, with workers saying HESS “would search workers for pilfered food at breakfast and spot-check their cramped and shared living quarters unannounced”, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The broadcast also showed some of the guards wearing clothing from the brand Thor Steinar, described by the WSJ as “a German fashion label that is known to be popular within Germany's neo-Nazi community and, for that reason, is banned from Germany's Parliament and other government buildings, as well as from several German soccer stadiums”.
Meanwhile, the FT claims that the German labour ministry has threatened it will cancel the licences of agencies contracted by Amazon if the allegations prove correct, and notes that HESS “denied any connection with far-right radicalism”.
The Amazon spokesperson adds: "Amazon is responsible for ensuring associates working in our fulfillment centres are safe and treated with respect and dignity at all times and we constantly work to improve our processes in this regard. It is clear that we failed to hold the contractor who was responsible for managing lodging, transportation and the security company for our temporary associates up to our high standards."
Amazon cancelled the contract with Hensel European Security Services (HESS) on Monday with immediate effect. A spokesperson for the e-retail giant tells Recruiter it takes the allegations "very seriously".
This follows a documentary aired last week by German broadcaster ARD, which spoke with several seasonal agency staff from Poland, Spain and elsewhere in Europe, with workers saying HESS “would search workers for pilfered food at breakfast and spot-check their cramped and shared living quarters unannounced”, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The broadcast also showed some of the guards wearing clothing from the brand Thor Steinar, described by the WSJ as “a German fashion label that is known to be popular within Germany's neo-Nazi community and, for that reason, is banned from Germany's Parliament and other government buildings, as well as from several German soccer stadiums”.
Meanwhile, the FT claims that the German labour ministry has threatened it will cancel the licences of agencies contracted by Amazon if the allegations prove correct, and notes that HESS “denied any connection with far-right radicalism”.
The Amazon spokesperson adds: "Amazon is responsible for ensuring associates working in our fulfillment centres are safe and treated with respect and dignity at all times and we constantly work to improve our processes in this regard. It is clear that we failed to hold the contractor who was responsible for managing lodging, transportation and the security company for our temporary associates up to our high standards."
