LIDL joins compliance group

The international trade and services union UNI Commerce has revealed that discounter Lidl recently joined BSCI, the Business Social Compliance Initiative, which brings together major retailers from a large number of European countries. As part of the BSCI code, the retailers require full compliance with the rules on freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. UNI Commerce said it is cooperating closely with BSCI also through its engagement in Social Accountability International and its SA8000 Social Code. UNI commerce has expressed its feeling of unease about Lidl being a member of BSCI as, according to the union, the company is repeatedly violating fundamental workers' and trade union rights, both at its home market in Germany and in other European countries.