National Labor Association finds continuing irregularities in supermarkets

Last year the National Labor Inspection Office (PIP) inspected 58 supermarkets nationwide,and although agents noticed some improvement over 1999, there are still irregularities in working conditions. According to PIP, employers break the law with regard to working time and salaries. Employees are sometimes refused days off they deserve, as well as unused vacation. As far as safety regulations are concerned, most supermarkets use inappropriate ventilation, lighting, and heating. Labor Protection Board (ROP) head Bozena Borys-Szopa commented, "It is a scandal that at the beginning of the 21st century we are dealing with 19th century exploitation." (Zycie, p.5; Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 6) A.Z.