Italian Electrical Firm Faces Backlash Over 'Squid Game' Staff Culling Survey
In a move that has drawn comparisons to the dystopian television series Squid Game, an Italian electrical company has sparked widespread outrage by asking its employees to decide which of their colleagues should be sacked. The controversial survey, conducted by Bluergo, a manufacturer of washing machine spare parts based in Veneto, has been condemned by unions as a cruel and manipulative practice that undermines workplace solidarity.
Brutal Questions and Psychological Pressure
During the Christmas period, more than 60 employees at Bluergo were presented with a series of brutal questions designed to identify potential layoffs. According to reports from local outlet Ansa, staff were asked to choose between categories such as volunteers, part-time workers, individuals with no family responsibilities, and younger employees. Specific questions included: Who would leave at home? The one without kids? and The one who has been employed the shortest time?
Perhaps most controversially, a category labelled Other required employees to write the full names of colleagues they believed least deserved to retain their jobs. Only ten surveys were completed and returned, highlighting the discomfort and resistance among the workforce. Union representatives have argued that this approach amplified psychological pressure on each individual, transforming an already tense work environment into what they described as a battlefield.
Company Defence and Union Condemnation
Bruno Scapin, the company boss, defended the questionnaire, insisting it was merely an internal survey to test the company climate. He cited market crises as a rationale, stating that the goal was to prevent layoffs. However, this explanation has done little to quell the backlash.
The Italian metal workers' union, CGIL, has been vocal in its criticism, labelling the survey a reckless move and an attack on workers' dignity. In a strongly worded statement, the union asserted that the exercise represented an unacceptable manipulation of the solidarity that should naturally exist among colleagues. Manuel Moretto, general secretary of the CGIL's Treviso branch, condemned the practice, emphasising that it not only shows a lack of respect for workers but also attempts to disintegrate the social fabric of the company.
Calls for Unity and Further Action
Moretto stressed that in times of difficulty, unity should be the answer, not division. He clarified that these methods do not constitute democratic consultation and vowed that the union would not allow workers to be forced into playing what he termed a humiliating game. In response, Bluergo staff have called for an urgent meeting, describing the company's line of questioning as a dangerous trend that sets a worrying precedent for workplace ethics.
The union has urged all workers to remain united, avoid supporting this unacceptable move, and make their voices heard. They highlighted that solidarity and cohesion are the best weapons against such unfair and destructive practices. As the situation develops, this incident raises broader questions about corporate responsibility and the ethical limits of employee management strategies in challenging economic times.
