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Net in the criticism: lousy working conditions at the discount store

The SWR documentary "The Net System" reveals what happens behind the scenes of the discounter.
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So much the employees of the discounter suffer

What does a discount store do to stay competitive? Unfortunately, a lot. Poor working conditions, taxpayers' salary, unpaid overtime: the documentary "The Net System" reveals how employees of the discounter suffer.

Behind Aldi and Lidl, Netto, with 45, 000 branches and 60, 000 employees, is one of Germany's top discounters. The success strategy: favorable prices, a broader range than many competitors, organic, fresh goods and sometimes also a branded article. That depends on the German consumer. And the chain still wants to grow, plans new branches, wants bigger market shares. According to the SWR document "The Net System", the employees pay for the price.

"Above all, net can be so cheap because employees are willing to work for free, " says the SWR website. The station broadcasts tonight the documentary "The system net", for which concerned-author Edgar Verheyen Germany-wide net coworkers from all hierarchical levels to their working conditions interviewed.

The frightening result of his research: employees who do up to 20 hours overtime a week free of charge. Apprentices and trainees who receive a subsidy instead of a collective wage. Employees who are alone in a shift. Systematic harassment, again and again work without breaks, employees who have been canceled because of illness, the holiday.

The power struggle in the discounter market is apparently carried out on the back of the employees at Netto. Comments from the discounter and all the documentation "The Net System" will be available this evening at 8:15 pm in the SWR.

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