The Verdi union wants to continue the industrial action at the online and mail order retailer Momox Services GmbH in Leipzig. Around 80 employees took part in the one-day warning strike on the night shift and early shift, as the responsible union secretary Ronny Streich told the German Press Agency. More are expected later today. The company could not immediately be reached for comment.
Discount battles bring high work pressure for employees
Verdi said December 1st was a particularly high-sales day after the so-called Black Week and Black Friday. “Especially this time of discount battles and fat sales is a time of particularly high stress for employees. High work pressure, overtime, bullying – everything for profit. This leads to a high level of sickness – and there is no trace of respect and appreciation,” explained Streich.
Verdi calls for the recognition of the collective agreements of the retail and mail order trade in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. “As long as the employers do not negotiate, we will put pressure on them,” emphasized the union secretary.
Verdi reports that foreign employees are fearful of their existence
The union pointed out that many migrants from countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Venezuela and India work at Momox. “They are under particular pressure. Rushed work and pressure to perform meet fear of their existence. The migrant employees fear that if they lose their job they will also lose their residence permit.” The company exploits this fear, especially with temporary hires.
“At the same time, the wages are far too low to be able to finance their lives and that of their families,” it said. The collective agreement is a minimum standard. Anything less than that is unacceptable and means poverty – now and in old age.
Momox is an online and mail order retailer for used media such as books, music, DVDs and records as well as second-hand clothing. The company was founded in 2004. According to Verdi, around 1,400 employees currently work in the main warehouse in Leipzig.