Lidl, known for its aggressive pricing policy and harsh treatment of employees, was fined several millions of forints for the misconducts.

In Lidl’s stores in Pápa and Tapolca, West Hungary, 70 staff members were allowed to have less than the legally prescribed 11 hours of resting time between two shifts. In some cases workers had only one hour to rest between their shifts, while others had to work 18-19 hours without any resting time, said Péter Nesztinger, director of Veszprém County Labor and Labor Safety Supervision Office. He added that none of the staffers at the two stores opened last year received the legally prescribed amount of holidays for 2004.

According to HVG’s information, labor offices in Baranya, Békés, Csongrád and Fejér counties have led investigations on the labor practices at Lidl stores in their area. The investigations were started upon employees’ complaints, mostly for excessive overtime.

Other offices said they are starting overall inspections next week and will check Lidl stores in the process, as well. The National Labor Supervision Office plans a two-week long series of inspections at large retail chains.
The Union of Retail Employees is also about to start recruiting members from among Lidl employees in the near future, after a four-month grace period from the opening of the stores. Lidl is also known for not respecting labor unions.