Following the agreement signed in January 2014, a minimum wage in the German meat industry has finally come into force. This should be valid for all workers of the German territory slaughterhouses, whether directly employed by the company or employed through subcontractors. Many doubt its actual application and warn against existing practices in order to push or circumvent its application. The full article is available HERE in German on the website of our partner ALSO.
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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
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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.
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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
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.
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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
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
Germany, the leading European food industry is increasingly criticized for the social and environmental price for its economic success. Only two weeks after my arrival in Lower Saxony, I have already seen the devastating effects of its operation. For years, thousands of posted workers suffer abuses of unscrupulous subcontractors. Through these “service contracts” large groups such as Tönnies, Danish Crown, Heidemark, Vion “rent” contract workers. These service contracts can circumvent the German labor law and to drastically cut wages. Beyond the damage suffered by the employees, this creates a problem of unfair competition. Most of these contract workers are from Eastern Europe (Romania, Poland, Bulgaria) and are subject to daily pressures. They are willing to accept conditions of living and working close to slavery, for fear of losing their jobs and having to return home without money.
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The testimonies of some former slaughterhouse workers report numerous violations of the rights of unsustainable rates, threats … Given the particular problem in the Lower Saxony region a consultancy mobile cell and access to rights was mounted in the program Faire Mobilität. More and more exploited workers use them. One of the counselors testify situations observed and the mafia look of subcontracting companies. For her the imposition of a minimum wage does present a partial solution if the checks were conducted on the workplace but also in life. According to her the exploitation of migrant workers in Lower Saxony receives little interest from public opinion, more concerned about the breeding conditions and slaughter of animals.