Pratt’s bananas will launch a “thorough and detailed investigation” into working conditions at its packing plant in Luton, Bedfordshire, in response to a BBC probe accusing the firm of exploiting migrant workers.
Pratt’s, which supplies bananas to leading retailers, came under fire on Wednesday on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme for allegedly forcing eastern European employees to work excessive hours, not allowing workers to take breaks and threatening them with the door if they refused to comply. Pratt’s could now face an industrial tribunal, after one Polish employee told the BBC she suffered a miscarriage as a result of the heavy, physical work bosses forced her to do, despite knowing about her pregnancy.
A joint statement issued by Pratt’s and Response Personnel said: “Following our investigations, should we identify occasions where guidelines on the treatment of workers were not followed, we will take immediate action to ensure this does not happen again. The welfare and safety of workers is of paramount importance, and we take the allegations raised by the Today programme very seriously.”
The company plans to re-train supervisory staff and employ long-term external trainers. “We remain committed to providing a high-quality work environment. Our workers’ welfare is our number one concern. Indeed, the majority of our employees have been with us for many years,” said the statement.
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