Ikea 'deeply regrets' use of forced labour

Gerald · 11-16-12, 12:50 PM

Ikea is the world's largest furniture retailer.

Quote:

Ikea has said it "deeply regrets" the use of political prisoners as forced labour in communist East Germany by some of its suppliers.

The Swedish furniture giant asked accountants Ernst & Young to look into the matter, dating back 25-30 years.

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The study indicates that political and criminal prisoners were involved in manufacturing for Ikea suppliers.

It also said that Ikea representatives at the time knew that political prisoners were possibly used.

In the past Ikea had given contracts to the East German (GDR) government.

Former political prisoners of the Stasi, the feared secret police, said they worked on the furniture, leading to Ikea commissioning the Ernst & Young report in May this year.Those former prisoners may now expect compensation.Rainer Wagner, chairman of the victims' group UOKG, has previously said that Ikea was just one of many companies that benefited from the use of forced prison labour in the former GDR from the 1960s to 1980s.

The group is campaigning for compensation for many former prisoners, whom they say carry psychological and physical scars from the labour they were forced to do.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20356945

Note: 16 November 2012 Last updated at 16:34 GMT

Stealhead · 11-16-12, 01:57 PM

The only time a POS company has regret is when they get caught.

AVGWarhawk · 11-16-12, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealhead

The only time a POS company has regret is when they get caught.

No doubt!

Herr-Berbunch · 11-16-12, 06:18 PM

Great, now there are more unemployed political prisoners.

Surely Ikea didn't choose them, it was the GDR government so they (meaning today's all encompassing Germany) should foot the bill, I don't want the cost of my gravadlax and meatballs to rise.

Gerald · 11-16-12, 06:57 PM

^You have learned how to eat meatballs and salmon,

Jimbuna · 11-17-12, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealhead

The only time a POS company has regret is when they get caught.

Aye that.

em2nought · 11-17-12, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

Surely Ikea didn't choose them, it was the GDR government so they (meaning today's all encompassing Germany) should foot the bill

I think they're too busy footing the bill for the rest of liberal spending, non-austerity embracing Europe.

Jimbuna · 11-17-12, 10:07 AM

It's not just Ikea though...there have been some sports companies using child labour and similar sources.

Herr-Berbunch · 11-17-12, 11:09 AM

I won't even mention Primarni.

Oops, too late.

Jimbuna · 11-17-12, 11:39 AM

Or Puma even

kranz · 11-17-12, 12:17 PM

I have a IKEA glass table in the kitchen. Should I feel bad or ashamed, or what?

STEED · 11-17-12, 12:39 PM

We have ways of making you make crap, crap as in rubbish.

Hang on they are still doing it...slave labour?

Jimbuna · 11-17-12, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kranz

I have a IKEA glass table in the kitchen. Should I feel bad or ashamed, or what?

Not at all...I have a few Ikea items in my household and we can't be expected to have an in depth knowledge of every manufacturers processes.

11-16-12, 06:18 PM	#4
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Great, now there are more unemployed political prisoners. Surely Ikea didn't choose them, it was the GDR government so they (meaning today's all encompassing Germany) should foot the bill, I don't want the cost of my gravadlax and meatballs to rise. __________________

11-16-12, 06:57 PM	#5
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	^You have learned how to eat meatballs and salmon, __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

11-17-12, 10:07 AM	#8
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,453 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	It's not just Ikea though...there have been some sports companies using child labour and similar sources. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

11-17-12, 11:09 AM	#9
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	I won't even mention Primarni. Oops, too late. __________________

11-17-12, 11:39 AM	#10
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,453 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Or Puma even __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

11-16-12, 01:57 PM	#2
Stealhead Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,421 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	The only time a POS company has regret is when they get caught.

11-17-12, 12:17 PM	#11
kranz The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Poland Posts: 1,430 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I have a IKEA glass table in the kitchen. Should I feel bad or ashamed, or what?

11-17-12, 12:39 PM	#12
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	We have ways of making you make crap, crap as in rubbish. Hang on they are still doing it...slave labour? __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!