Aufruf zur Gedenkkundgebung am 30.10.2026

17 Uhr Fährstraße 42-44 Wilhelmsburg
20 Uhr U4 Überseequartier am Grasbrookpark

Das Subunternehmer-System bringt Verderben und Tod!

Jetzt verschwinden die Körper der Toten auch noch. Anfang Juni 2026 starb Ahmed D. bei Abbrucharbeiten auf einer Baustelle in Wilhelmsburg. Er war aus Ägypten nach Deutschland gekommen und arbeitete für ein Subunternehmen. Um den Unfalltod zu vertuschen wurde sein Körper in einen Wald in Rissen verschleppt.

In Erinnerung an ihn halten wir am 30.10.26 eine Kundgebung vor der Baustelle ab. Als Ausdruck unserer Verachtung wie Baustellen und andere Produktionszweige organisiert sind, versammeln wir uns erst in Wilhelmsburg und fahren danach zum U-Bahnhof Überseequartier.

Hier starben am 30.10.2023 5 albanische Kollegen bei einem Unfall auf der Westfield-Baustelle. Die zweite Kundgebung dort in der Nähe der Luxus-Mall wird an sie und einen weiteren gestorbenen rumänischen Bauarbeiter erinnern.

Die Subunternehmerketten sind tödlich, weil das Risiko von großen Generalunternehmen ausgelagert wird an kleinere Firmen, die einem viel größeren Konkurrenzdruck ausgesetzt sind. Die Löhne sind hier niedriger, die Arbeitsbedingungen oft katastrophal. Gerade migrantische Arbeiter*innen zahlen hierfür mit schlechterem Lohn, ihrer Gesundheit oder mit ihrem Leben.

• Sichere Arbeitsbedingungen auf dem Bau für alle!
• Streiks bei schweren Unfällen!
• Mehr Lohn, weniger Arbeitshetze!
• Schluss mit den Subunternehmerketten!
• Kontrolle von Firmen statt Illegalisierung von Arbeiter*innen!
• Keine weiteren Toten!
• Offene Grenzen anstelle von Abschiebung und Abschottung!

Bestätigte beteiligte Gruppen:

• Sektion Bau und Handwerk der FAU Hamburg (Bau FAU)
• Wilhelmsburg Solidarisch
• Chefduzen
• Asmaras World
• Kay Jaeger

!نظام التعاقد من الباطن يجلب الخراب والموت

17:00، Fährstraße 42-44، فيلهلمسبورغ الساعة
20:00، خط U4، محطة Überseequartier عند Grasbrookpark

والآن بدأت حتى جثث الموتى تختفي. في بداية يونيو/حزيران 2026، توفي أحمد د. أثناء أعمال الهدم في موقع بناء في فيلهلمسبورغ. كان قد جاء من مصر إلى ألمانيا وكان يعمل لدى شركة متعاقدة من الباطن. وللتستر على حادث الوفاة، نُقلت جثته إلى غابة في ريسن

تخليدًا لذكراه، سننظم تجمعًا يوم 30.10.2026 أمام موقع البناء. وتعبيرًا عن ازدرائنا للطريقة التي تُنظَّم بها مواقع البناء وغيرها من قطاعات الإنتاج، سنجتمع أولًا في فيلهلمسبورغ، ثم نتوجه إلى محطة مترو الأنفاق أوبرزيكوارتير

هنا، في 30.10.2023، توفي خمسة من زملائنا الألبان في حادث وقع في موقع بناء ويستفيلد. وسيتذكر التجمع الثاني، الذي سيُقام بالقرب من مركز التسوق الفاخر، ذكراهم وذكرى عامل بناء روماني آخر توفي

إن سلاسل التعاقد من الباطن قاتلة، لأن الشركات العامة الكبرى تنقل المخاطر إلى شركات أصغر تتعرض لضغط تنافسي أكبر بكثير. الأجور هنا أقل، وظروف العمل غالبًا ما تكون كارثية. ويدفع العمال والعاملات المهاجرون خصوصًا الثمن، من خلال أجور أقل، أو صحتهم، أو حياتهم

!ظروف عمل آمنة في قطاع البناء للجميع


!إضرابات عند وقوع حوادث خطيرة!
أجور أعلى، وضغط عمل أقل

!
ضعوا حدًا لسلاسل التعاقد من الباطن

!مراقبة الشركات بدلًا من تجريم العمال واعتبارهم غير قانونيين

!لا مزيد من الموتى


!حدود مفتوحة بدلًا من الترحيل والعزل الساعة

The subcontracting system brings destruction and death!

5 p.m. Fährstraße 42–44, Wilhelmsburg
8 p.m. U4 Überseequartier, at Grasbrookpark

Now even the bodies of the dead are disappearing. At the beginning of June 2026, Ahmed D. died during demolition work at a construction site in Wilhelmsburg. He had come to Germany from Egypt and worked for a subcontractor. In order to cover up his accidental death, his body was taken to a forest in Rissen.

In his memory, we will hold a rally in front of the construction site on October 30, 2026. As an expression of our contempt for the way construction sites and other branches of production are organized, we will first gather in Wilhelmsburg and then go to Überseequartier U-Bahn station.

Here, on October 30, 2023, five Albanian colleagues died in an accident at the Westfield construction site. The second rally, held nearby the luxury shopping mall, will commemorate them and another Romanian construction worker who also died.

Subcontracting chains are deadly because the risk is outsourced from large general contractors to smaller companies that are exposed to much greater competitive pressure. Wages are lower here, and working conditions are often catastrophic. Migrant workers in particular pay the price through lower wages, their health, or their lives.

• Safe working conditions in construction for everyone!
• 
Strikes after serious accidents!

• Higher wages, less pressure at work!
• 
Put an end to subcontracting chains!
• 
Control companies instead of criminalizing workers as “illegal”!

• No more deaths!

• Open borders instead of deportation and exclusion!

Sistemi i nënkontraktimit sjell shkatërrim dhe vdekje!

Ora 17:00, Fährstraße 42-44, Wilhelmsburg
Ora 20:00, U4 Überseequartier, te Grasbrookpark

Tani po zhduken edhe trupat e të vdekurve. Në fillim të qershorit 2026, Ahmed D. vdiq gjatë punimeve të prishjes në një kantier ndërtimi në Wilhelmsburg. Ai kishte ardhur nga Egjipti në Gjermani dhe punonte për një nënkontraktor. Për të mbuluar vdekjen e tij në aksident, trupi i tij u dërgua në një pyll në Rissen.

Në kujtim të tij, më 30.10.2026 do të mbajmë një tubim para kantierit të ndërtimit. Si shprehje e përbuzjes sonë ndaj mënyrës se si organizohen kantieret e ndërtimit dhe degët e tjera të prodhimit, do të mblidhemi fillimisht në Wilhelmsburg dhe më pas do të shkojmë drejt stacionit të metrosë Überseequartier.

Këtu, më 30.10.2023, pesë kolegë shqiptarë humbën jetën në një aksident në kantierin e Westfield. Tubimi i dytë, pranë qendrës tregtare luksoze, do t’i kujtojë ata dhe një tjetër punëtor ndërtimi rumun që humbi jetën.

Zinxhirët e nënkontraktimit janë vdekjeprurës, sepse rreziku transferohet nga kompanitë e mëdha kontraktuese te firmat më të vogla, të cilat përballen me një presion shumë më të madh konkurrues. Pagat këtu janë më të ulëta dhe kushtet e punës shpesh janë katastrofike. Veçanërisht punëtorët*et migrantë e paguajnë këtë çmim me paga më të ulëta, me shëndetin e tyre ose me jetën e tyre.

• Kufij të hapur në vend të dëbimit dhe izolimit!
• Kushte të sigurta pune në ndërtim për të gjithë!

• Greva pas aksidenteve të rënda!

• Më shumë paga, më pak presion në punë!

• Mjaft me zinxhirët e nënkontraktimit!
• 
Kontroll mbi kompanitë, jo kriminalizim të punëtorëve si “të paligjshëm”!

• Asnjë të vdekur më!


Pergala peymankariya jêrîn wêranî û mirinê tîne!

Saet 17:00, Fährstraße 42–44, Wilhelmsburg
Saet 20:00, U4 Überseequartier, li Grasbrookpark

Niha heta laşên miriyan jî dixwazin winda dibin. Di destpêka Hezîrana 2026’an de, Ahmed D. di dema karên hilweşandinê de li şantiyekê li Wilhelmsburgê jîyana xwe ji dest da. Ew ji Misirê hatibû Almanyayê û ji bo şirketeke taşeron dixebitî. Ji bo veşartina mirina wî ya di qezayê de, laşê wî birin daristanekê li Rissen.

Ji bo bîranîna wî, em ê di 30.10.2026’an de li ber şantiyê mîtîngêkê bikin. Em dixwazin bi vê mîtînge bertek li hemberî pergala mêtînger nîşan bidin. Piştî mîtîngê em ê biçin stasyona metroyê Überseequartier.

Li şantîye ya Westfield di 30.10.2023’an de, pênc hevalên ên Albanî di qezayekê de jiyana xwe ji dest dan. Mîtînga duyemîn, ku dê li nêzîkî navenda bazirganiya Westfiel bê lidarxistin, dê wan 5 karkerên avakirinê û karkere kî Romanyayî yê din ê ku jiyana xwe ji dest daye wê were bîr bînin.

Şîrketên taşeron dikûjin! Ji ber ku rîska ji şirketên mezin ên giştî didin ser mile şirketên taşeron. Di vê pergalê de mûç kême, şert û mercên xebatê ji gelek xerabe. Bi taybetî karkerên koçber bi mûçeyên kêmtir, tenduristiya xwe an jî bi jiyana xwe biha didin. Ji ber wê em dixwazin kû;

• Ji bo hemûyan şert û mercên ewle yên karê di avakirinê de!

• Li dû qezayên giran mafê grev ê!

• Mûçe zêdetir, zexta karê kêmtir!
• Dawîya pergala taşeronîyê!
• Kontrolkirina şirketan li şûna kêmkirina mafê karkeran!

• Êdî tu mirinek din na!

• Dersînor kirina rawestînen û sînora vekin!

Sistemul subcontractării aduce distrugere și moarte!

Ora 17:00, Fährstraße 42–44, Wilhelmsburg
Ora 20:00, U4 Überseequartier, la Grasbrookpark

Acum dispar chiar și trupurile celor morți. La începutul lunii iunie 2026, Ahmed D. a murit în timpul lucrărilor de demolare pe un șantier din Wilhelmsburg. Venise din Egipt în Germania și lucra pentru un subcontractor. Pentru a mușamaliza moartea sa în urma accidentului, trupul lui a fost transportat într-o pădure din Rissen.

În memoria lui, pe 30.10.2026 vom organiza un miting în fața șantierului pe care a lucrat Ahmed. Ca expresie a revoltei noastre față de modul în care sunt organizate șantierele și alte ramuri ale producției, ne vom întâlni la manifestație mai întâi în Wilhelmsburg, după ce vom merge și la stația de metrou Überseequartier.

În această zona, pe 30.10.2023, cinci colegi albanezi au murit într-un accident pe șantierul Westfield. Al doilea miting, care va avea loc în apropierea acestui centru comercial de lux, îi va comemora pe ei și pe colegul muncitor român din construcții care și-a pierdut viața pe același șantier.

Lanțurile de subcontractare sunt mortale, deoarece riscul este externalizat de la marile companii generale către firme mai mici, care sunt supuse unei presiuni concurențiale mult mai mari. Salariile sunt mai mici aici, iar condițiile de muncă sunt adesea catastrofale. În special muncitorii migranți plătesc acest preț prin salarii mai mici, prin sănătatea lor sau chiar prin viața lor.

• Frontiere deschise în locul deportării și izolării!
• Condiții de muncă sigure în construcții pentru toți!
• Greve după accidente grave!
• Salarii mai mari, mai puțină presiune la muncă!
• Stop lanțurilor de subcontractare!
• Controlul firmelor în locul ilegalizării muncitorilor!
• Nicio altă moarte!

Система субподряда несёт разрушение и смерть!

17:00 — Fährstraße 42–44, Wilhelmsburg
20:00 — U4 Überseequartier, у Grasbrookpark

Теперь исчезают даже тела погибших. В начале июня 2026 года Ахмед Д. погиб во время демонтажных работ на строительной площадке в Вильгельмсбурге. Он приехал из Египта в Германию и работал на субподрядчика. Чтобы скрыть факт смертельного несчастного случая, его тело вывезли и спрятали в лесу в Риссене.

В память о нём 30.10.2026 мы проведём митинг перед строительной площадкой. Выражая наше презрение к тому, как организованы строительная отрасль и другие сферы производства, мы сначала соберёмся в Вильгельмсбурге, а затем отправимся к станции метро Überseequartier.

Здесь, 30.10.2023, в результате несчастного случая на строительной площадке Westfield погибли пять албанских коллег. Второй митинг, который пройдёт неподалёку от этой роскошной торговой галереи, будет посвящён их памяти, а также памяти ещё одного погибшего румынского строителя.

Цепочки субподряда смертельно опасны, потому что крупные генеральные подрядчики перекладывают риски на небольшие фирмы, которые подвергаются значительно более сильному конкурентному давлению. Здесь ниже заработная плата, а условия труда зачастую катастрофические. Особенно трудящиеся-мигранты платят за это более низкой зарплатой, своим здоровьем или жизнью.

• Безопасные условия труда на стройках для всех!
• Забастовки при тяжёлых несчастных случаях!
• Больше зарплаты, меньше рабочего давления!
• Долой цепочки субподрядчиков!
• Контроль над фирмами вместо криминализации трудящихся!
• Больше никаких погибших!
• Открытые границы вместо депортаций и изоляции!

Taşeron sistemi yıkım ve ölüm getiriyor!

Saat 17.00: Fährstraße 42–44, Wilhelmsburg
Saat 20.00: U4 Überseequartier, Grasbrookpark

Artık ölülerimizin bedenleri bile yok edilmeye çalışılıyor. Haziran 2026’nın başında Ahmed D., Wilhelmsburg’daki bir şantiyede yürütülen yıkım çalışmaları sırasında hayatını kaybetti. Mısır’dan Almanya’ya gelen Ahmed, bir taşeron şirkette çalışıyordu. İş cinayetini örtbas etmek isteyenler, onun cansız bedenini Rissen’deki bir ormana bıraktı.

Onu anmak ve şantiyelerdeki sömürü düzenine duyduğumuz öfkeyi göstermek için 30 Ekim 2026 tarihinde şantiyenin önünde buluşuyoruz. Wilhelmsburg’daki eylemimizin ardından topluca Überseequartier metro istasyonuna yürüyeceğiz.

Çünkü 30 Ekim 2023’te, Westfield şantiyesindeki kazada tam beş Arnavut işçi hayatını kaybetmişti. Lüks alışveriş merkezinin yanında gerçekleştireceğimiz ikinci mitingde, hem o beş işçiyi hem de yine burada yaşamını yitiren Rumen inşaat işçisini anacağız.

Taşeron zincirleri öldürür! Ana yüklenici dev şirketler tüm riski, yoğun rekabet baskısı altındaki küçük taşeronlara devrediyor. Bu sistemde ücretler düşük, çalışma koşulları ise tam anlamıyla felakettir. Bunun bedelini ise en başta göçmen işçiler; düşük ücretlerle, sağlıklarıyla ve canlarıyla ödüyor.

• İnşaat sektöründe herkes için güvenli çalışma koşulları!
• Ağır iş kazalarının ardından derhal grev!
• Daha yüksek ücret, daha az iş baskısı!
• Taşeron zincirlerine son!
• İşçileri kısıtlamak yerine şirketleri denetleyin!
• Artık tek bir iş cinayetine bile tahammülümüz yok!
• Sınır dışı kararlarına ve kapalı sınırlara hayır; herkese açık sınırlar!

Mehr Infos: https://www.entschlossen-offen.de

Thanks to everyone who participated or helped out behind the scenes!

We send our solidarity to our rebellios comrades in Spain!

The CDU plans to target ALL farmworkers; the IGG says, “Not with us!”

On February 26, 2026, according to media reports, the CDU party convention in Stuttgart voted² unanimously in favor of a motion to deny foreign seasonal workers the minimum wage. This is an attack on the wage levels of all workers in the industry. The trade union initiative IGG-FAU condemns this latest move and is threatening nationwide actions. It has been calling for a €15 minimum wage for all workers in the industry since 2025.³

Jasmin Hofer, a spokesperson for the IGG: “With its attacks on the retirement age, the 8-hour workday, part-time regulations, sick leave, unemployment benefits, and much more, the CDU is increasingly positioning itself as a party opposed to the rights of all wage earners. Now German workers are being pitted against foreign workers. But experience shows that when wages fall for one group, the overall wage level falls for everyone. Incidentally, this is happening in the very industry that feeds us and where there are constant complaints about a shortage of skilled workers.”

“Ultimately, no one who voted for this motion should be allowed to buy asparagus or strawberries anymore,” said Hofer, “but for now, we’re planning other union campaigns against the party. We’re also keeping a close eye on the SPD as a coalition partner, of course.”

Migrant seasonal workers, in particular, account for about one-third of the agricultural workforce in Germany. They work primarily in labor-intensive specialty crops and on small to medium-sized farms. They are already among the occupational groups with the lowest pay, the longest workdays, and the highest number of (often fatal) accidents.⁴ The IGG is calling for full parity in employment conditions for migrant seasonal workers, including social security, wages, and labor rights. In its policy statement, the union voted in May 2025 to fight for a minimum wage of €15 for all workers in horticulture, forestry, agriculture, and environmental professions.

1. https://gruene-gewerke.fau.org/?p=642 ︎
2. https://www.fr.de/wirtschaft/mindestlohn-soll-nicht-mehr-fuer-alle-gelten-cdu-parteitag-der-zr-94180686.html ︎
3. The IGG's demands regarding company policy can be found here: https://gruene-gewerke.fau.org/?page_id=426 ︎
4. In 2021 and 2023, 125 colleagues in the green sector lost their lives; in 2022, the number was 117. https://www.wochenblatt-dlv.de/feld-stall/landtechnik/toedliche-unfaelle-landwirtschaft-landwirte-wissen-muessen-579569 ︎

The court hearing on the reinstatement of the dismissed colleagues is now approaching. Despite the company's threat that the union would not be able to maintain its actions for a year, until the trial began, these actions have not only been maintained but expanded—thanks in part to the support of many CNT Spain unions and several IKA unions (IKA = International Confederation of Labor, our international federation). Ahead of the court hearing on March 25, 2026, CNT Spain is calling for international solidarity to increase pressure on NH Hotels.

"I have a question: Isn’t the course of these things being left unchecked because Germany needs workers who are paid little or not at all? And then I wonder if this isn’t a disguised and controlled form of slavery." Elvis Iancu, April 2015, Mall of Shame (2, p. 27)

Introduction

The proportion of helpers on construction sites has risen sharply in recent years. This is not happening because the work on construction sites has become much easier or more automated, and largely consists of helper tasks (3).¹No, skilled workers are classified as helpers in order to reduce their wages. This practice is primarily used by subcontractors for migrant workers, who often have less knowledge of the German legal system and sometimes lack secure residency status. As a result, they are even more vulnerable to exploitation² .

What are helpers?

The terms 'helpers' and 'construction helpers' describe workers who perform supportive and semi-skilled tasks on construction sites: 'Simple or assisting tasks' such as 'transport, demolition, excavation, and cleaning work,' in other words, simply put, digging, moving things from A to B (possibly with a wheelbarrow, but not with a crane), cleaning, tearing down walls." (4)

This is clearly different from so-called 'professionally oriented tasks,' 'specialist tasks,' and 'expert tasks.' In the collective bargaining agreement, this is reflected in the lowest wage group 1, which is currently (as of April 2025) paid at €15.27 per hour (total collective wage). It is important to note that the wage group is based on the tasks performed, not the qualifications (see below).

The proportion of helpers in building construction (Hochbau) has risen from 28% to 40% between 2013 and 2022, while in civil engineering (Tiefbau), it has increased from 16% to 22% (2, p. 4). At the same time, the proportion of foreign workers in building construction has increased even more significantly, from 16% to 36% (3, p. 7). This does not mean that German workers have been replaced by migrant helpers— the number of German workers in construction has remained largely constant—but many helpers have been added in subcontractors. The fact that the increase in helpers is largely driven by migrant workers is shown in the chart below (3, p. 11). This is also an indication that the construction industry uses migrant workers as a 'flexible buffer' to balance fluctuations in the volume of work.

Among German workers, the proportion of helpers is around 30%. Among employees from the Western Balkans, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria, it is significantly higher, with those from Romania and Bulgaria even exceeding 70%.³

Furthermore, so-called posted workers, whose companies are registered abroad, do not appear in the statistics. In 2023, the annual average number of such workers was a maximum of 39,000, with the total number of employment relationships for the year being around 83,000. (5, p. 7 & 9)

The Role of Subcontractor Chains

There has been a long-standing trend towards decentralization of construction services. While construction sites used to be managed by skilled workers at general contractors, tasks are increasingly being outsourced to subcontractors. Originally, general contractors used subcontractors to balance fluctuations in orders, but today, this has become the dominant strategy for cost and risk reduction:

It is no longer a cooperative outsourcing based on technical and organizational necessities, which has characterized the construction industry, but rather a purely cost-reduction-driven outsourcing of original core activities." (3, p. 12)

Companies are becoming more numerous and smaller ('decentralization of companies'), which means more companies are now involved on the same construction site. As a result, the number of legal relationships between companies increases. This gives rise to so-called subcontractor chains. On large construction sites, subcontractor chains with four, five, or six tiers are not uncommon. Part of the money that workers used to receive from general contractors now goes to the management and owners of the subcontractors. Another part remains with the general contractor to increase profits. This practice intensifies cost pressure on downstream companies.

The trend of decentralization also includes the pseudo-self-employment of individual workers, who are not subject to collective bargaining agreements and must take care of their own occupational safety.

The relationship between wage-dependent workers and companies

The employment relationships between workers and subcontractors are usually formally 'legal.' However, there is a shift from formal rules to personal ties and dependencies. This was also observed in the process of organizing Romanian workers in the FAU Berlin during the 'Mall of Shame' campaign between 2014 and 2019 (6 and FAU-Berlin).

Contracts between workers and subcontractors often exist only nominally or to create the appearance of legality in the face of inspections. Workers are often employed part-time by subcontractors but actually work full-time, including overtime. The contracts specify net wages, which means a fixed amount including all other usual allowances in the construction industry, such as hazard pay, bad weather allowances, holiday and night shift bonuses. However, these are often not paid in practice. Wage payments are usually made in cash. Reports from workers sometimes describe contracts specifying 20 hours per week while actually working 55 hours (3, p. 13).

Social and pension insurance contributions are paid based on the contractually agreed-upon wage, which is significantly lower than the wage that workers are actually entitled to based on the hours they have actually worked. As a result, pension entitlements, vacation days, vacation pay, and continued wage payments in case of illness or accidents are significantly lower than for full-time employees or are completely omitted.

In a survey of Romanian construction workers, only 28 out of 147 employment relationships met the industry minimum wage 2 (15.71€ in 2021), which was applicable to skilled workers until December 31, 2021. The others were paid at the rate for helpers – 74 of them with the lowest possible wage of 12.85€/hour in 2021 (3, p. 14). The abolition of the construction minimum wage in 2021 has further promoted wage dumping in the construction industry.

Another characteristic of the informal relationship between companies and workers is that companies provide accommodation for their skilled workers, for which they deduct additional money from their wages. This makes workers even more dependent on their companies, especially because it is particularly difficult for non-German individuals to find affordable rental housing in German cities.

The role of residency status and work permit

Roughly, three types of countries of origin for migrant workers can be distinguished. The largest group of migrant workers in the German construction sector generally comes from Poland, Romania, Croatia, and Bulgaria, i.e., from EU countries. A second, also large group, comes from countries that were important in the historical recruitment agreements starting in the 1950s, such as Turkey and the former Yugoslavia. A third growing category is non-EU countries, which have recently gained increasing significance, such as Albania.

Especially construction workers from these countries can be subjected to great precariousness: They often have difficulty orienting themselves independently in Germany at first, depend on job and accommodation agencies, which often operate through friends or acquaintances, and are potentially threatened with the loss of their residency status. Often, the responsible authority – the Financial Control of Illegal Work (FKS) – focuses on controlling the workers rather than the companies (7, p. 27). Migrant workers from third countries, therefore, potentially have to fear the discovery of their illegal residency status in addition to everything else.

These categorizations are difficult because the problems faced by individuals are very diverse. Some of them learn German quickly and thus move into responsible positions, while others work in isolation on smaller construction sites or only temporarily in the construction sector and then pursue further qualifications. Even construction workers from the third category can, for example, be employed legally under the so-called 'Western Balkans Regulation' (8).

Against nationalist interpretations on the construction site

Migrant workers often face significant disadvantages compared to employees who were raised in Germany: First, they do not speak the language, and as a result, they are dependent on their supervisors or employment agencies for information about processes, materials, etc. on the construction site. Second, they are unfamiliar with the German legal system and, by extension, their rights. As a result, foreign workers rely on practical learning experiences in their first years. Some migrant workers, who work as seasonal laborers, are not well trained professionally, cannot properly assess risks, and learn 'on-the-job.' Legally, however, this makes no difference: Compensation is based on the work performed, not formal qualifications.

The FES study describes the perception of migrant workers that there are two separate spheres of work: One with well-paid general contractors, where Germans work, and the other with exploited migrant workers. This perspective obscures the true dimension of exploitation through a national construction. The precariousness of migrant workers is often more extreme due to the factors described above, but they sometimes integrate themselves into work hierarchies. This is exemplified by employment agencies, which themselves act as subcontractors and have networks in Germany and contacts in their home countries. However, some workers also find other ways to pursue their work independently, for example as sole proprietors. Furthermore, this narrative obscures the fact that work on construction sites is also dangerous, physically harmful, and sometimes deadly for Germans.

The customs authorities, construction offices, and legal system are either unwilling or unable to protect migrant workers from exploitation. Union-affiliated, often state-funded institutions such as 'Arbeit und Leben' (9) or the advisory network 'Faire Mobilität' (10) often serve as a point of contact, acting as intermediaries between migrant workers and unions to legally combat severe cases of wage theft and exploitation. However, neither the root causes of the exploitation of migrant workers are actively addressed, nor does it currently seem that IG BAU (the Construction Workers' Union) is seriously trying to build a platform for labor struggles for non-German construction workers.

Outlook

The outlook for helpers on construction sites is grim. The system of many subcontractors with partly informal employment relationships has solidified, and working as a construction helper on construction sites is dangerous, even sometimes deadly. The recognition of qualifications and experience is difficult for a Romanian worker – they would have to take the exam in German. Neither the responsible Federal Ministry of Building nor the President of the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning, Petra Wesseler, have any real interest in ensuring that work on construction sites is safe and dignified for all involved. The simplest and most effective way to improve conditions on construction sites – the legal clarification of general contractor and investor liability – falls under the jurisdiction of the new Minister of Building, Verena Hubertz. However, it is unlikely that the businesswoman, former PWC manager, and start-up founder and CEO will implement this.

What we are concerned about

Effective protection against the exploitation conditions outlined can only be achieved if construction workers organize across cultures and nationalities. Reducing language barriers plays a crucial role in this, as well as, ideally, the dismantling of closed labor markets. Free global migration would likely lead to the harmonization of working conditions.

We demand open borders instead of the isolation of privileged regions – at the same time, we fight for good working conditions for all. This may initially sound like a contradiction, because an overcrowded labor market certainly leads to stronger competition, thereby complicating struggles, such as those for higher collective wages. But migrants bring important labor struggle experience with them. And a call for isolation would lead to serious problems. How can struggles be successfully fought solely on a local or national level when the demands are internationally similar and movements mutually enrich one another because experiences circulate across borders?!

We are concerned with an active movement that reduces and ultimately overcomes exploitation – without excluding other regions of the world. On the contrary: success for all of us is only possible if we rise up together.

AG baufau

1. This text is based on the study by Baumgarten, Beck & Firus 'Helpers or Skilled Workers? Migrant Workers in the German Construction Sector' (FES Study). It describes the problems faced by construction workers in a part of the construction industry (the building sector) in Germany. Nevertheless, we believe that this already reflects a large part of the exploitation to which migrant workers in the German construction sector in general are exposed. While the FES study starts from a market need – the shortage of skilled workers – for us, as a union of workers, the needs of ALL wage-dependent workers are the primary focus.
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2. The term 'foreigners' can be misleading, as it only includes people without a German passport. However, this also includes people who were born in Germany or have lived in Germany for years or even decades. As the length of stay increases, so does the ability to navigate the system, and it becomes less likely to be affected by extreme exploitation. We do not have data that would allow for a precise analysis in this regard. Therefore, we use the term 'migrant workers' here.
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3. Alle Ausführungen hier beziehen sich auf in Deutschland sozialversicherungspflichtige Arbeitskräfte. Daneben existieren andere Arbeitsverhältnisse wie Minijobs, illegale Arbeit und Scheinselbstständigkeit. ︎

Sources

(1) Lübbe, S. (2022). At the Bottom of the System. Report from the Rhine-Main Area. Online: https://taz.de/Reportage-aus-dem-Rhein-Main-Gebiet/!5897238/

(2) Elvis Iancu (2015). Speech by Elvis Iancu in April 2015 in front of the Mall of Shame in Berlin. Translation from Romanian. pp. 25-27. In:Lackus, H. & Schell, O. (2020). Mall of Shame. Kampf um Würde und Lohn. Rückblicke, Hintergründe, Ausblicke. Berlin: Die Buchmacherei.

(3) Baumgarten, M., Beck, L. & Firus, A. (2024). Helfer oder doch Fachkräfte? Migrantische Beschäftigte im deutschen Hochbau. FES diskurs. Mai 2024. Online: https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/a-p-b/21208.pdf

(4) Bundesagentur für Arbeit (2021). Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020. Band 2: Definitorischer und beschreibender Teil. Nürnberg, November 2021. Online: https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de/DE/Statischer-Content/Grundlagen/Klassifikationen/Klassifikation-der-Berufe/KldB2010-Fassung2020/Printausgabe-KldB-2010-Fassung2020/Generische-Publikationen/KldB2010-PDF-Version-Band2-Fassung2020.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=21

(5) SOKA-BAU (2024) SOKA-BAU Informationen 2023. Online: https://api.soka-bau.de/fileadmin/Dokumente/geschaeftsbericht_soka-bau_2023.pdf (letzter Zugriff 29.07.2025).

(6) Lackhus, H. & Schell, O. (2020). Mall of Shame. Kampf um Würde und Lohn – Rückblicke, Hintergründe und Ausblicke. Berlin: Die Buchmacherei.

(7) Seitz, T. (2022). Between Guardian and Punisher: The Role of the German Inspectorate Finanzkontrolle Schwarzarbeit for Migrant Workers, Masterarbeit, Universität Linköping, https://liu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1707636/FULLTEXT01.pdf (17.06.2025).

(8) Bundesagentur für Arbeit (2025). Westbalkanregelung. Online: https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/unternehmen/fachkraefte-ausland/westbalkanregelung (17.06.2025).

(9) Arbeit und Leben e.V. DGB/VHS. Beratungsnetzwerk Gute Arbeit. Online: https://arbeitundleben.de/arbeitsfelder/beratungsnetzwerk (24.06.2025).

(10) Faire Mobilität. Online: https://www.faire-mobilitaet.de/ (24.06.2025).

Ultimately, all of this was of no use to management: On Monday, the employees were able to successfully end the dispute, which was being held with the support of the IP, with a good result!

• 700 PLN(164,90 EUR) payraise instead of the 800 PLN demanded
• a 20 Minuten payed break of the originaly 30 min one, was able to be negotiated
• all Saturdays except one per month are recorded as overtime and not as unpaid as before

It turns out, fighting is worth it! And yet there’s still plenty of work to do in the future for our Polish colleagues!

And Wassertrüdingen?

Marcin Mróz, Managing Director and Board Member of Jeremias in Gniezno, is already laying the basis: „We are waiting for the trend to reverse, for the market to recover, and for us to be able to recoup the losses we have suffered.“ This sounds bad for all locations. It’s no coincidence that there is a large number of temporary and contract workers here, especially from Poland. Their jobs can be „adapted“ to meet the needs of the „market“ without regard for the interests of the employees.

Here, too, it is necessary for all employees to take to heart the „secret of success“ of the Gnieszno workforce: Ultimately, they were only successful through their organization in the IP, our Polish sister union. However, the strike in Gniezno has shown again that management is not giving the workforce anything for free.

Under Polish law, workers do not receive any pay for the days of the strike unless management subsequently agrees to pay them. The low wages are insufficient to support their families during the strike. The IP is still small and consists of workers who often earn only the Polish minimum wage. So, if you have the opportunity, please help us with a donation of any amount so we can support our members: www.zrzutka.pl/m2xrgk. If you have any problems with transfering, please write us at finanse@ozzip.pl or transfer the amount directly to our bank account, with the reference „Support for the strike at Jeremias.“

OZZ Inicjatywa Pracownicza, IBAN PL88 2130 0004 2001 0577 6570 0001, BIC/SWIFT-Code: INGBPLPW

While the fundraiser kicked off already, a severe earthquake hit Myanmar. Many houses and urban infrastructure were destroyed. Consequently we decided to open up the fundraiser to additionally support 200 families of workers who are affected by the earthquake with powerbanks, tarps and mosquito nets. Again, it were the members of FGWM who told us what they needed and what we should collect the funds for.

We are aware of the complexity when it comes to organizing money flows from people in “the West” to people in Southeast Asia, since such projects always contain hierarchies. At the same time we acknowledge that much of the wealth is accumulated in “the West” because of the exploitation in poverty striken regions with very low wages. Therefore we see a clear responsibility on our part to organize redistribution. Even if this is just a tiny share, we try to make a step towards the right direction.

We don't do charity: At the same time, we support the fight of our comrades who are fighting for a life of dignity. We organize demonstrations, like the one on March 8th in Hamburg, in front of the stores of brands whose labels are printed on products made in Myanmar, such as Only, H&M, Zara, Hunkemöller, NewYorker, Lululemon, and Adidas. In labor struggles, we address the management of the brands and factories on various levels. And occasionally, we raise money. As people in a more privileged part of the world – like Europe – we are directly connected to the sweat and labor of factory workers through the supply chain. Therefore, we have the responsibility to do our part in ending exploitation.

The comrades need support to keep up their struggles. Together we already raised money to finance safe houses, support for families of union members who lost their jobs because of their involvement in protests, pay for medical treatment or plan organizing workshops for workers. With our last fundraiser menstrual products were provided because the workers could not afford them anymore and risked infections when using left over fabric from the factories instead.

At the same time we – comrades of FAU and comrades of FGWM – rallied for free availability of menstrual products inside the factories, clean sanitary facilities and menstrual leave. Hang Kei factory – producing for Hunkemöller – did react and since May 2025 the toilets get cleaned regularly, there are menstrual pads in the factory clinic for all who need them, they installed ACs and there is a room for mothers who are nursing. It’s only one factory of many that we were reaching out to, but it is a start! Die Fabrik Hang Kei, die für Hunkemöller produziert, hat reagiert und seit Mai 2025 werden die Toiletten regelmäßig geputzt, es werden Binden in der Fabrik bereitgestellt für alle, die sie brauchen, es wurden Klimaanlagen installiert und es gibt einen Rückzugsraum für stillende Mütter. Es ist nur eine von vielen Fabriken, an die wir uns gewandt haben, aber es ist ein Anfang!

We need more comrades who support our joined actions so we can put more pressure on brands and factory owners around the world. It’s worth it.

Thank you all for supporting us!

Further information can be found here: https://www.fgwm-solidarity.org/

Solidarity is our weapon!
Dare to fight – dare to win!