Roche Workers in Poland Protest Hiring Practices

Perhaps emboldened by the success that Novartis employees in Switzerland had in protesting job cuts, Roche workers in Poland last week organized protests over hiring practices. The workers argue that the drugmaker hires people on a long-running contract basis, but does not offer regular employment and related benefits, including job protection, according to web sites run by workers’ rights groups. The impetus for the protests was apparently the recent dismissal of one Roche worker who had objected to the work arrangements and was also featured in a newspaper article that mentioned the issue. The worker groups argue that his willingness to publicly voice his displeasure led to his dismissal and they want the drugmaker to reinstate him.

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