Empowering Change: Dutch Michael Kors Employees Rally for Fair Labor Practices

In a significant move towards fostering fair labor practices, employees at the Michael Kors distribution centre in Venlo, the Netherlands, have united to form a trade union group in collaboration with the FNV, the Dutch trade union.

The FNV has underscored the challenging circumstances faced by distribution workers on a daily basis, highlighting that they receive a minimum wage of 13.27 euros per hour, while the global luxury fashion powerhouse Michael Kors continues to reap substantial profits.

“While the fashion items are sold through the efforts of the employees in Venlo, the US company garners billions in sales and millions in profits worldwide,” stated the FNV.

The organization contends that establishing a more equitable system is not only desirable but imperative, beginning with the formation of a works council. Despite legal requirements, Michael Kors currently lacks a works council, contributing to the lack of standardized pay regulations that fail to adequately compensate experienced workers.

In response to these concerns, the union group has articulated specific demands for Michael Kors. These demands center around the fundamental principles of respect, as evidenced by the initiation of a petition, along with a call for a substantial 14 percent pay increase.

Since 2016, Michael Kors has operated a distribution center in Venlo, where approximately 300 employees contribute to the creation of the brand’s renowned bags, shoes, watches, and clothing destined for stores across Europe and the Middle East.