Attempts to improve agricultural seasonal labor conditions in Germany: the label “Faire Saisonarbeit”

Gallery

At the beginning of each crop season, the German media publish one or two reports on poor working conditions of seasonal workers in Germany. Given the negative impact these reports could have on all producers in the sector, IGBAU [1] … Continue reading

Between the prefabricated housing and asparagus fields ..

Summary:
Asparagus is a luxury vegetable very consumed in Germany, since 2003 she is the first producer in Europe. But the lack of a minimum wage applied to all professional sectors and the system of Minijob (short-term contracts, very few binding on the employer) causes many abuses of agricultural workers. The agricultural labor force employed in the collection of vegetables and fruits is almost essentially foreign. Polish Historically, there has been an influx of Romanians and Bulgarian recent years. Working conditions, hard because pickups techniques are often made worse by rights violations and lack of control tools.
The imposition of a minimum wage would be a first step towards more equality between national and foreign workers, but many blockages exist among employers. They fear not being able to withstand competition and pressure on prices, this is particularly true for those who sell their production outside of short circuits.

Temporary work agencies and migrant workers : for a flexible and cheap labor force

Gallery

This gallery contains 2 photos.

Summarize : We estimate that at least a 50% of labor force in the netherland is provided from temporary work agencies, majority of the workers come from Poland. Apparently it seems that there is very few labor violations, but in … Continue reading

Demonstration in Cloppenburg against modern slavery

Gallery

This gallery contains 1 photo.

On 26 April 2014, about 200 people gathered in Cloppenburg to protest against the abuses of outsourcing contracts and to denounce the unacceptable working conditions and life, imposed detached and seasonal workers. Organized by Mida (network for human dignity at … Continue reading

“The whole system is a fraud to the entire society” – Interview with Matthias Brümmer

In 2012, about 58 million pigs, 3.6 million cattle and 1 million sheep were slaughtered in Germany. The German meat industry is so effective that the country has become the slaughter of Europe, but also on the way to becoming the world’s largest meat exporter. With the start of the barbecue season, Lidl offers 20% per kilo of pork loin or € 3.99 per kilo. This award is achieved through the exploitation of workers, mostly East European countries. This with the help of the directive on the posting of workers to principles rather vague, leaving room for all kinds of abuse from shady supplier. Matthias Brümmer, head of the local branch of Oldenburg union for food and catering (NGG) explains how the business of cheap meat.

In search of a better life: photographing migrant workers

Gallery

This gallery contains 7 photos.

Migrant workers today: they cut our meat, they take care of our seniors, they harvest our fruits and vegetables and build our homes. The province to major cities, Bulgaria, Poland or Romania to Germany: they leave their countries in hopes … Continue reading

The network Faire Mobilität a step towards improving the working conditions of workers posted to Germany

Gallery

This gallery contains 2 photos.

Summary: Faire Mobilität The program was set up to make them more equitable conditions of living and working in Germany, addressing specifically to migrant workers. The six centers Faire Mobilität operate in networks, embedded in local and national levels. The actions are … Continue reading

Common Declaration Palestine/France

Gallery

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Common declaration – April 2014 UAWC, PNGO, BDS, LRC, PFU, Confédération paysanne Ramallah, Tuesday April 1st, 2014, Following a year of common work on the theme of migrant and seasonal farm workers in Palestine between UAWC and the French farmers’ … Continue reading

Meeting with a foreman for a German slaughterhouse: “I didn’t mind about all this”

Gallery

Recently I was able to speak with a former butcher and foreman in a pig slaughterhouse, located south of Oldenburg. He worked for several years and was willing to share with me his experience with employees of subcontractors. Summary: He … Continue reading