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The work standards agency ITM will file charges over allegations in Luxprivat on mismanaging its car fleet.Picture credit: James 

The press release, published on 21 December, states:

“Recently, Luxprivat's accusations against the Labour and Mining Inspectorate (ITM) have reached such a level that the administration is forced to respond by this press release with a view to restoring the truth.

While having the greatest respect for the freedom of the press, as exercised according to the law, the ITM estimates it should no longer be subjected to defamatory remarks, which not only harm all the ITM employees, but denigrate also a more than secular administration which is the repository of authority and is in charge of state control in its areas of competence.

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 contentious article, in order to be able to renew its car fleet according to its needs.

The choice of the Skoda SUV vehicle 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 price quoted in the disputed press article is totally wrong and the actual purchase price is well below the advanced price.

It is also totally false to claim that the director of the ITM has two service cars. Labour inspectors also have the number of service cars required for their field inspections: there is no justification for insinuating a shortage of vehicles.

On the other hand, to argue 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. If three service cars were sold, it is only because of their dilapidation (3 Peugeot 307, with 11 years, 12 and 13 years of seniority) and this regardless of the acquisition of the new SUV vehicle in question .

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. Currently having 26 vehicles, the ITM has always made available to its agents the necessary service cars. No deficiencies in this regard have been noted to date and no claim in this regard has ever been submitted to the management of the ITM. Also, to say that the purchase of the SUV would not have been granted by the financial controllers is absolutely wrong, since the instructions of the latter have been conscientiously respected and validated. The planned procedures and controls have been fully respected. The ITM ensures irreproachable management of the service cars at its disposal.

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, it should be noted that the agent concerned was on-call and that he lives in Germany. The situation described in the offending article is therefore not abnormal.

In conclusion, the defamatory information contained in the December 11th and 13th press articles published on the Luxprivat website is absolutely without foundation.

As the disputed information published on the Luxprivat website seriously undermines the image and reputation of the ITM and that of its director, a criminal complaint will be filed with a view to identifying the perpetrator(s) and requesting the penalties provided for by law.

In addition, these actions contravene the most basic ethical rules governing the profession of journalism, including the requirement to verify their source and facts before publication.The ITM therefore reserves the right to implement all legal means, both civil and criminal, to stop such acts immediately or their reiteration.”