Former Employees of Saldus Municipality Farm Accuse Manager of Abuse

Several former workers at the "Brūzilas AV" farm in Saldus municipality, Latvia, have accused the farm's manager, Vilnis Štencelis, of inhumane treatment of staff. They say they experienced emotional abuse at work and, in some cases, physical violence. The allegations were reported by "Bez tabu", a programme on the Latvian television channel TV3.

The complaints

Besides the accusations of abuse, the former employees point to other problems in how work was organised. They complain of long working hours and of overtime that, according to them, was not paid. Complaints have also been made that it was difficult to obtain days off at the farm.

What is known

The employees' allegations are directed at the farm's manager, V. Štencelis. The source does not say how the manager himself has responded to the accusations. It also does not say whether any supervisory bodies or law enforcement institutions have become involved.

The matter was reported in a television segment in which several former employees spoke about their experience of working at this farm in Saldus municipality.