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At its meeting in Bonn, Germany, on 26 November 2014, the European Works Council (EWC) of DPDHL was informed from representatives of international trade unions UNI Global Union, UNI Europa, ITF and ETF about the situation of DHL employees in India and Colombia. They are being discriminated against because of their trade union activities. The following motion was passed unanimously. It was subsequently read out at the meeting of the DPDHL Forum on 27 November 2014 to CEO Dr Frank Appel:

“In the preamble of the DPDHL Forum Agreement of May 2012, the Group declares its support for “the right of all employees to vote for employee representatives, to respect them and to maintain constructive cooperation based on mutual trust with its employees and their representative bodies”. This important obligation is indivisible, and in the opinion of the EWC, it can only be communicated credibly if it applies to the same extent in every part of the world.

The descriptions of transfers, disadvantages and discrimination because of trade union activities, or reports of DPDHL managers hindering the setting up of employee representative bodies – whether in India, Colombia or other countries – undoubtedly violate the principle of freedom of trade union association as is explicitly recognised by the DPDHL Forum Agreement. They also conflict with the Group’s claim to be “Employer of Choice” and with the corporate values of “Respect and Results”.

We, the 50 members of the EWC at DPDHL, oppose any form of violation of employee rights and declare our solidarity with all DPDHL employees affected by such harassment.

We urge you, Dr Appel, to personally create conditions that will end these conflicts. Evidently a clear statement from the CEO to a national management body is required to put an end to unacceptable situations on the ground and restore social peace within the DPDHL family.”

The statement is annexed.