From a Yahoo! News story: “FRANKFURT (AFP) – Sales women paid five Euros (6.6 dollars) an hour, Asian subcontractors with dubious practices, and counters in the shape of swastikas -- in Germany the success of textile discounter Kik has kicked up a storm. In all, 3,500 Kik workers in Germany, of a total 15,000 worldwide, are paid five Euros per hour and receive the strict minimum in state health and pension benefits according to the services trade union Verdi. "Our workers might have to do more than others, but in exchange they have a secure job," the co-founder of Kik, Stefan Heinig, told German media. In nearly 15 years of activity, Kik, which is majority owned by the German distributor Tengelmann, has steadily gained market share and posted sales of 1.4 billion Euros last year. In Germany or in Eastern Europe, where the company is expanding, the group targets families with kids, "thrifty people and socially weak people," according to its Internet site. According to testimony provided by Verdi member Henrike Greven, staff are watched closely, their bags and even their cars are regularly inspected. At suppliers, such as in Bangladesh, clothing sewers must sometimes work seven days a week at jobs that do not pay a living wage and that have been slammed by the "Campaign for clean clothes." Some are said to employ children. Heinig has acknowledged that could not be ruled out. Kik rejects charges by antifascist Internet sites which call it "a Nazi store." In 2007, clients were shocked to find counters were shaped like swastikas, a symbol used by Nazis and which could be seen in Frankfurt. "It is a completely normal presentation in retail," a spokeswoman said. She said the chain has never been condemned by a court and stressed Kik's commitment "against racism."
Well, well – like they say, there’s no such thing as bad publicity. I had never heard of this Kik thing until today. People, as usual, will always have their priorities in this order: Commerce, Country, and finally, Church. Who cares if the products are sewn by little children? They are cheap and – to the customer - that’s all that matters. Like Clinton said, we’re not about to let a matter like human rights get in the way of our trade negotiations with the Chinese.
Well, well – like they say, there’s no such thing as bad publicity. I had never heard of this Kik thing until today. People, as usual, will always have their priorities in this order: Commerce, Country, and finally, Church. Who cares if the products are sewn by little children? They are cheap and – to the customer - that’s all that matters. Like Clinton said, we’re not about to let a matter like human rights get in the way of our trade negotiations with the Chinese.
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