The online store Bol.com is alarmed after the arrest of the CEO and the operational director of PostNL Belgium on suspicion of malpractice. Thousands of parcels are currently stuck in two sealed Belgian depots. Bol.com is now demanding a response from PostNL. The ball started rolling after an earlier undercover investigation by Het Laatste Nieuws and VTM Nieuws. Our investigative journalist Joppe Nuyts spent weeks working undercover at PostNL. He saw exploitation, undeclared work and even child labour.
The court raided three depots of parcel delivery company PostNL the day before yesterday. The CEO of PostNL Belgium, Rudy van Rillaer, and the operational director in Belgium are accused of leading a criminal organization. They are also charged with human trafficking, forgery and prohibited posting.
It was the second time that the courts had raided PostNL’s depots. It did so about four months ago after an undercover report by VTM Nieuws and Het Laatste Nieuws. Our reporter then showed that not only undeclared work happened at PostNL, but also child labour. The court suspects that PostNL’s management is forcing subcontractors to commit criminal offenses and is maintaining that model. They face jail terms ranging from six months to three years. The full undercover report of Het Laatste Nieuws and VTM Nieuws can be viewed here.
View a fragment of the HLN DOC below. about the exploitation at PostNL:
Cooperation
The Dutch online store Bol.com is alarmed and demands a meeting with PostNL. For the time being, Bol.com will continue to work with the parcel deliverer. The company does not want to prejudge the outcome of the investigations, a spokesperson told De Tijd. In addition to Bol.com, Kruidvat continues to rely on PostNL.
Bol.com does not want to say what percentage of the deliveries PostNL is responsible for. At least eight thousand packages from the Dutch web store and a few dozen Kruidvat packages are currently stuck in the sealed depots in Willebroek and Wommelgem. It is not known when those warehouses will be accessible again. Both companies are informing their customers and are currently looking for a solution.
For customers who order a parcel today, there would be no problem. PostNL has seven other depots. In the meantime, an emergency depot has also been opened in Temse.
Suspicions of malpractice at PostNL again: from human trafficking to criminal organization (+)
Also see: Minister De Sutter about arrest PostNL CEO
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