Saldus Municipality Livestock Farm Owner Accused of Abusing Employees
The TV programme "Bez tabu" reports that former workers at the "Brūzilas AV" livestock farm in Latvia's Saldus municipality accuse its head, Vilnis Štencelis, of emotional and physical abuse. State Police confirmed that a criminal case over bodily harm to a man has been sent to court.
Former employees of the "Brūzilas AV" livestock farm in Latvia's Saldus municipality accuse its head, Vilnis Štencelis, of emotional and, in some cases, physical abuse. The claims were reported by the television programme "Bez tabu", which spoke to many people who have worked at the large farm. Not all of the testimonies made it into the broadcast report.
What former employees say
Everyone who spoke to the programme said they had suffered emotional abuse, including humiliation, shouting insults and name-calling. Some former workers also said that certain people had been subjected to physical violence. They further claim they were made to work excessively long hours without being paid for overtime, and that the manager was reluctant to grant days off.
The farm owner and the authorities respond
Štencelis rejects the allegations of physical violence. Regarding emotional abuse, he said people had become so sensitive that they could not even be told their work was of poor quality.
The State Police have provided a different account. Two years ago a complaint was filed about bodily injuries inflicted on a man, and a criminal case was opened. The investigation has been completed, the materials were handed to the prosecutor's office, and the case has since been passed on to court.
The State Labour Inspectorate (VDI), which oversees compliance with labour law and workplace safety requirements, said it had received no complaints about emotional abuse at this farm. However, other violations have been reported frequently over many years. Over time the VDI has issued warnings to the farm and fined it multiple times, although some of the complaints were found to be unfounded.
