Following the broadcast of a program by Germany’s ARD television channel which alleged that HESS Security harassed and intimidated foreign seasonal staff hired in Germany, Amazon have parted company from the security outfit.
Amazon said that “the criticized security service is not used any longer, effective immediately”, adding “As a responsible employer of approximately 8,000 salaried logistics employees, Amazon has zero tolerance for discrimination and intimidation and expects the same from every company we work with.
HESS Security were not apparently engaged directly by Amazon, but through a sub-contractor. According to the documentary the security firm is alleged to have searched workers accommodation and even on occasion searched them to make sure they weren’t stealing rolls left over from breakfast.
Many of the workers were foreigners who had moved to Germany looking for work in Amazon’s warehouses. HESS Security were supposedly employed to keep staff in order at the budget hotels and hostels where staff were staying.
If you speak German you can see the ARD documentary which caused the controversy below:
