Inhumane working conditions. Gathering unionists and political decision-makers from Germany, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania, the international conference was dedicated to the risks and opportunities tied to the free movement of workers in Europe. In this respect, Annelie Buntenbach, member of the DGB’s management, acknowledged that the complete opening, on May 1, 2011, of the German labor market to nationals from eight Eastern European countries, didn’t lead to the massive immigration flow some – the DGB included – were dreading. However, she says that many of these workers suffer from the “criminal” behavior of certain employers. “There are black sheep among employers, notably in construction firms” Buntenbach denounced, citing temporary work agencies signing fake labor contracts with people from Eastern Europe. “When they get here, they realize that they have a self-employed status and are surprised when they are not paid when they are sick.” Others are recruited by subcontractors who themselves contract out for subcontractors. Bound by a three-month contract, they live in makeshift dumps and don’t get paid after they are done working. “We want clear rules and stricter controls” the unionist said, for the government’s benefit.
certain employers. “There are black sheep among employers, notably in construction firms” Buntenbach denounced, citing temporary work agencies signing fake labor contracts with people from Eastern Europe. “When they get here, they realize that they have a self-employed status and are surprised when they are not paid when they are sick.”
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