In light of recent accusations made by Luxprivat, the Labour and Mining Inspectorate (ITM) has decided to respond in order to “restore the truth”.
The ITM has remarked that whilst it respects the freedom of the press, it cannot accept being subjected to such defamatory remarks, which not only harm ITM employees, but also its secular administration.
Like any public administration, the ITM regularly obtains service cars, including in 2017 a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) car of the Skoda Kodiaq Style 2.0 TSI brand referred to in the defamatory articles from 11 and 13 December, in order to be able to renew its car fleet according to its needs.
The choice of the Skoda SUV vehicle- according to ITM- was made after a comparative examination with other vehicles, SUVs or sedans, in a range of comparable prices and standing. As reported by the specialised automotive press, this SUV is displayed at an extremely competitive price list given its qualities. The ITM has therefore stated that the price quoted in the disputed press article is inaccurate and the actual purchase price was much lower.
The ITM has also denied claims that its director has two service cars and argues that claims that the ITM should have sold three service cars in order to be financially able to acquire the SUV mentioned above is also a gross misrepresentation. Likewise, the administration has claimed that it is still misleading to suggest that the purchase of the Skoda Kodiaq SUV by the ITM was done to the detriment of the needs of its agents since, currently having 26 vehicles, the ITM has always made available to its agents the necessary service cars.
With regard to the press article dated 13 December 2017 concerning the use of a service car on the Edeka car park in Trier on Saturday, the ITM has claimed that the agent concerned was in on-call service and that he lives in Germany and that the situation described in the offending article is therefore not abnormal.
In conclusion, the ITM has stated that the defamatory information contained in the offending press articles published on the Luxprivat website is absolutely unfounded.
