"Decade-and-a-half of resistance against unjust labor practices"
In the heart of Berlin, the future of Bema, an organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable workers, hangs in the balance. The annual funding of 1.2 million euros, provided by the Berlin Senate, has been secured until 2025. However, beyond this date, the organisation's continued operation remains uncertain.
The concerns surrounding Bema's future are not without reason. According to Katja Karge from DGB, delivery services are leading to depressing employment conditions and legal challenges in terms of classic interest representation. Karge asserts that employers often take advantage of employees who are not familiar with the system in Germany, exploiting their ignorance to make a profit.
One such instance was highlighted by a foreign student working as a bike courier. After an accident, the student was denied access to the company app, employment records, and contact with the employer. Despite this, with Bema's help, the student was able to claim unpaid wages.
Bema is currently addressing issues related to delivery services, which are found to rely on precarious employment forms. The exploitation of workers is systemic, as demonstrated by the case of two Philippine employees in the care sector who were threatened with 8,000 euros in debt for mediation and transport if they resigned.
Legal advice is considered a central building block of integration, justice, and the defense of social standards. This sentiment is shared by Irina Lazarova. The Stiftung Unabhängige Patientenberatung (UPD), an organisation offering advisory support in eleven different languages in Berlin since 2010, embodies this belief.
As the debate over the future of work continues, a new definition of the company concept is being considered. This definition includes employment with subcontractors or "pseudo-free" employees, a development that could further complicate the already precarious employment landscape.
The trade union's responsibility goes hand in hand with a social responsibility. Many Vietnamese trainees who come to Germany through the 2024 agreed vocational training agreement for nursing are also affected by this type of exploitation. These workers often perform dirty work under miserable conditions and contracts, a reality that underscores the importance of organisations like Bema.
As we move forward, it is crucial that we continue to support organisations like Bema, which play a vital role in defending the rights of vulnerable workers. Their work is a testament to the power of legal advice and advocacy in promoting justice and integration. The future may be uncertain, but the need for organisations like Bema is as pressing as ever.
