Blockades at Lidl due to “unbearable” workload

Lidl employees are blocking the discounter’s five Belgian depots due to the workload, which they call “unbearable”. As a result, the supplying of the stores has been completely shut down. The unions are demanding a concrete plan to improve the situation, otherwise strikes may follow in the stores themselves.

High staff turnover

Lidl’s five distribution centres in Belgium (Genk, Gullegem, La Louvière, Marche-en-Famenne and Sint-Niklaas) were shut down this morning, Belgian newspaper De Tijd writes. These blockades come after long-standing complaints from employees about the workload, which – according to trade unions ACV Puls and CNE – has become unbearable. The problem is only exacerbated by the fact that tight work schedules and strict sales targets are leading to high staff turnover, the unions say.

The unions are demanding that the retailer come up with a detailed plan to improve working conditions by next Tuesday at the latest. If the proposals are not sufficient, the unions are threatening broader strikes in the stores themselves. Lidl has indicated that it is disappointed with the timing of the actions, especially since a meeting with the unions was already planned that deadline day.