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Danish municipality goes to police over haulage firm’s treatment of foreign workers

The municipality in Aabenraa near Denmark’s border with Germany is to file a complaint with police against haulage company Kurt Beier Transport, according to a report.

Danish municipality goes to police over haulage firm’s treatment of foreign workers
Photo: Frank Cilius/Ritzau Scanpix

Trade union media Fagbladet 3F wrote on Monday that Aabenraa Municipality plans to report the company over a living facility for employees at the company’s premises in the border town of Padborg.

The accommodation, referred to as a “driver’s camp”, housed up to 200 men in “criticisable” conditions with only four toilets between them, according to the report.

“We have decided to report Kurt Beier Transport to the police,” Aabenraa Municipality’s head of department for Building, Culture, Environment and Business Jane Petersen told Fagbladet 3F.

“The complaint was filed because, had Kurt Beier Transport applied for planning permission to build what we so far know to have been there, they would not have been granted permission,” Petersen added.

The municipality did not wish to go into further detail, according to 3F’s report. The report will be filed sometime during this week or next week, Petersen confirmed.

Kurt Beier Transport CEO Karsten Beier told broadcaster DR earlier this month that he regretted poor living conditions experienced by the company’s employees at the site.

“I very much regret the photos that have been published and would like to apologise. Our facilities were simply not up to standard,” Beier told DR.

The issue was first reported by Fagbladet 3F, which published photos showing evidence of poor conditions at the company’s accommodation in Padborg, while it was also reported that drivers from the Phillippines were paid as little as 15 kroner (two euros) per hour.

According to information supplied by the municipality to Fagbladet 3F, the company is permitted to provide facilities for drivers to rest and for short overnight stays at its Padborg depot, but not the “camp”-style accommodation demonstrated by the report.

The issue has also resulted in the National Board of Social Services (Socialstyrelsen)’s Anti-People Smuggling Centre finding that 26 drivers used by the company were victims of people smuggling.

Beier denied any laws had been broken in comments made last week to DR.

“I am completely sure and convinced that we have not done anything punishable by law. We have complied with all laws and regulations,” he said.

“All drivers were aware of the terms when we interviewed them in the Phillippines. None of them were forced into working for us,” he added.

South Jutland Police said on Wednesday last week that no arrests had been made in connection with the case, stressing that police and the Anti-People Smuggling Centre bases of investigation were not the same.

Police investigations are dependent on breach of Danish criminal law, while the Anti-People Smuggling Centre uses definitions of people smuggling from the UN’s Palermo protocols against trafficking of persons, adopted by Denmark in 2003.

READ ALSO: Danish transport firm admits to poor conditions for foreign drivers

EMPLOYMENT

Switzerland still the world’s biggest magnet for skilled workers

Switzerland has kept top spot as the greatest talent magnet in the world, although a number of other European countries are catching up.

Switzerland still the world’s biggest magnet for skilled workers
Lucerne, Switzerland. Image: Depositphotos

Switzerland has retained top spot in the IMD Business School’s World Talent Rankings

The rankings, compiled annually by the Lucerne-based school, take into account investment and development, readiness and appeal when considering each country’s status as a talent magnet. 

After Switzerland, Denmark is in second spot – with the two maintaining their dominance at the top of the world rankings for the seventh year in a row. 

Sweden rounds out the trifecta, having jumped up five spots from last year’s rankings. 

Switzerland’s high placing comes from its dominance in the three major factors – in each of the three, Switzerland ranks first or second. 

In particular, the IMD recognises the excellence of Switzerland’s manager and apprentice training, alongside its pool of highly qualified expats and strong salaries. 

Cost of living a major barrier

It was not all rosy news for Switzerland however, particularly when it came to costs of living. 

Of the 63 countries considered in the survey, only five were more expensive than the Central European nation. 

While Switzerland’s high wages make it an attractive destination for skilled workers, much of the benefits of the higher wages – and thereby the attractiveness of the country as a professional destination – can be eroded by high living costs. 

The authors of the report have warned that countries at the top are in danger of being complacent and losing their first spot. 

How to make it to the top

According to the authors of the report, those who have performed better this year have done so through improving investment in education and prioritising talent attraction and retention in the private sector. 

“Most leading economies emphasise long-term talent development by focusing on investment and development,” said Arturo Bris, Director of the IMD World Competitiveness Centre. 

“This emphasis, however, goes beyond purely academic aspects to encompass the effective implementation of apprenticeships and employee training.

“Such an approach ensures a consistent alignment between talent demand and supply,”

Top 10 (last year’s ranking)

1. Switzerland (1)

2. Denmark (2)

3. Sweden (8)

4. Austria (4)

5. Luxembourg (9)

6. Norway (3)

7. Iceland (16)

8. Finland (7)

9. Netherlands (5)

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10. Singapore (13)

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