Tesco has brushed off claims from a UK trade union that workers in the retail giant’s supply chain experience “harsh and divisive” conditions.
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UK trade union Unite held a series of demonstrations outside Tesco stores today (27 November) to protest about their claims of the treatment of workers in the retailer’s meat supply chain.
Unite has claimed that it has presented Tesco with evidence of “harsh and divisive” and “in some cases abusive” conditions in the supply chain. The union has claimed there is “structural discrimination” in many part of the supply chain.
“We believe that Tesco’s procurement practices are creating divisions between migrant and indigenous workers across Britain and Ireland,” said Unite joint general secretary Tony Woodley.
Unite has argued that agency workers are often on poorer working conditions than “core” workers in the UK supermarket supply chain.
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By GlobalDataTesco, however, stood firm and argued it has yet to see “a shred of evidence” from Unite to back up its claims.
“Temporary workers are an important source of flexible labour. All of our suppliers have very strong standards in place relating to the treatment of workers but it is not for Tesco to tell suppliers who they should employ or what terms and conditions they should offer,” the retailer told just-food.
“Unite should take any cases they have up with individual businesses and provide any evidence they have of unfair or poor treatment.”
