Tiel inspects ethnic supermarkets: four face fines for labor and alcohol violations
Six non-regular supermarkets in Tiel were inspected for labor conditions, customs compliance, and safety. Four face further investigation, risking fines up to €10,000 for violations like improper hiring and unlicensed alcohol sales. Residents may encounter stricter checks on these stores.
| Inspection Details | Findings |
|---|---|
| Date | March 27, 2020 |
| Location | Tiel, Gelderland |
| Number of Supermarkets Inspected | 6 |
| Agencies Involved | Labour Inspectorate, Customs, Rivierenland Environmental Service, Avri |
| Supermarkets with Issues | 4 |
| Labour Violations | Improper hiring (1 case), Working Hours Act breaches (3 cases) |
| Potential Fines | Up to €10,000 per violation |
| Customs Investigations | 2 supermarkets (alcohol import rules, excise duty) |
| Alcohol Act Violations | 1 supermarket (missing off-licence, no supervisor) |
| Environmental Findings | Minor issues with cooling system documentation |
The municipality of Tiel, alongside regional enforcement agencies, conducts targeted inspections to ensure compliance with Dutch labor, customs, and safety regulations. These checks aim to protect workers and consumers, particularly in businesses that may operate outside standard oversight frameworks.
Read the full translated article below
Inspection at non-regular supermarkets: some in order, others face follow-up investigation
The municipality of Tiel, in collaboration with the Intervention Team De Waarden, conducted an inspection of non-regular supermarkets on Friday, March 27. The inspection involved the Labour Inspectorate, Customs, the Rivierenland Environmental Service, and Avri's supervision and enforcement teams. A total of six supermarkets were inspected.
At two supermarkets, everything was in order. However, the Labour Inspectorate identified grounds for further investigation at four supermarkets. In one case, an investigation will determine whether the three employees present were properly hired. In the other cases, the focus is on whether the rules of the Working Hours Act are being correctly implemented. If the hours registration is not in order, fines can amount to up to €10,000.
Further investigation
Customs will conduct further investigations at two supermarkets. This concerns the import rules for alcoholic beverages and the payment of the correct excise duty. The Environmental Service did not identify any major shortcomings. In a few cases, additional documentation must still be provided to verify whether the cooling systems comply with regulations.
At one supermarket, violations of the Alcohol Act were found. This supermarket also houses an off-licence. The licence for the off-licence could not be presented, and no supervisor was present, despite this being mandatory. The operator has received a warning for this.
What are non-regular supermarkets?
Non-regular supermarkets often focus on products from abroad or specific cultures. Because they partly fall outside regular supervision, they can pose risks. This may involve employment conditions or safety, but also products that do not comply with Dutch legislation. That is precisely why these joint inspections are important: they provide insight into what is going well and where intervention is necessary.