Child labour, human trafficking, 'modern slavery': what is going on with PostNL Belgium?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.brusselstimes.com/215388/ch ... nl-belgium

Social fraud, forgery and criminal organisation: PostNL Belgium has been accused of various crimes since a Flemish journalist worked as an undercover courier in November last year.

During his investigation, he also uncovered child labour, human trafficking and ‘modern slavery’. Three of PostNL’s top men were imprisoned, while PostNL denies any wrongdoings and states they have not been formally accused of anything.

Subcontractors
The documentary, aired by Flemish media channels HLN and VTM, follows journalist Joppe Nuyts, who worked undercover as a courier at PostNL Belgium for several weeks, including during the busy period around Black Friday and the holidays.

He explains how PostNL works with 200 courier companies, which represent around 1,500 couriers. Those couriers deliver hundreds of packages per day, with one of them having 494 deliveries to make.

Because PostNL does not directly employ couriers but uses subcontractors instead, not every employee gets the same pay for the job. While some couriers make €1,50 per delivered package, others have to settle for €1,06.

‘Modern slavery’
A subcontractor participating in the documentary called it “modern slavery.” Subcontractors are facing losses and debts, as they need to choose between operating at a loss or going bankrupt. Stopping is difficult, he explains, because of the costs that they are tied to, such as leases for vehicles and personnel.

A courier explains how the price for packages is reduced every six months: “That means more work for the same wage. Many couriers can no longer make a living.”

Forced fraud
On top of that, PostNL imposes fines on its subcontractors; for every ride that is not fulfilled, they receive a €100 fine. “We are forced to cheat and commit social fraud,” one courier said. “That’s why many couriers are paid under the table.”

Nuyts also meets drivers without papers, such as illegal migrants, and even without driver’s licenses. Some workers are forced to employ minors, as one courier used to bring his 13-year-old nephew to work to help him out.

Two boys relate how they were 13 and 14 when they were recruited by PostNL workers, one when he was picking up a package for his mum. “Do you need a job?” the courier asked him. Since that day, he would work eight to ten hours – “that’s almost slave labour.”

Inspectorate raids
In recent weeks, the Flemish inspectorate raided several PostNL depots following the shocking documentary, finding out that subcontractors had several drivers work longer hours than stipulated in their contract. They were also paid off the books.

In the following months, complaints to the inspectorate continued to pour in about drivers without a driver’s license, underage workers, undeclared work and illegal employment.

After three more PostNL locations were raided last week, the CEO and his number two were imprisoned, while in total nine people from PostNL were arrested.

They are suspects of human trafficking, forgery and forming a criminal organisation. Labour exploitation is mentioned as an example of human trafficking.

[Dorset Plodder]

I hope RM Management aren't reading this ......... it might give them some ideas!