Protracted battle against oppressive practices lasting 15 years

In the heart of Germany's capital, the Berlin Consultation Center for Migration and Fair Work (Bema) has been a beacon of hope for over 15 years. Established as a trade union project in 2010, Bema has grown to employ 17 consultants offering services in 11 languages, making it a trusted resource for many affected people.

Bema's mission is to provide low-threshold, multilingual labor law consulting outside of bureaucratic structures. The organization has been instrumental in enforcing the rights of vulnerable workers, particularly foreign workers in sectors like construction, delivery services, care, cleaning, gastronomy, and more. These workers often face challenges such as wage dumping, forced labor, and exploitation.

Berlin, being the first federal state to have a consultation office and a protective apartment for exploited people, has set a precedent in labor law consulting. The consultation office and the protective apartment have been particularly beneficial for newcomers to Berlin who may not speak the language or understand local labor laws.

One such individual is a foreign student who worked as a bicycle courier for a delivery service. After an accident, he was denied access to the company app, employment records, and contact with the employer. Bema stepped in to help him claim his unpaid wages, a testament to the organization's commitment to justice.

The exploitation of ignorance and distress is a systemic issue in the indebtedness of workers. This was evident in a case reported by Irina Lazarova, where two Filipino employees in the care sector were threatened with 8,000 euros in debt for mediation and transport if they resigned. Through counseling, it was clarified that such practices are illegal.

Bema's work is not limited to individual cases. Katja Karge from DGB reports that delivery services present difficulties in terms of legal representation of interests. Bema is currently dealing with issues related to these services, which are reported to rely on precarious employment forms.

The financing of Bema's activities is primarily regulated through federal budget and health ministry agreements, primarily funded by statutory health insurance funds under social law (§378 SGB V), with adjustments managed by the Federal Ministry of Health. However, the Berlin Senate has been fully funding Bema with 1.2 million euros per year until 2025, but there is no guarantee of continued funding beyond that.

Katja Karge emphasizes the importance of employers not exploiting employees who are not familiar with the German system for their own financial gain. Legal counseling, as stated by Irina Lazarova, is a central building block of integration, justice, and the defense of social standards.

The German economy, being among the largest financiers of the right-wing shift, faces challenges in maintaining fair labor practices. However, the work of organizations like Bema is a step towards ensuring that every worker, regardless of their nationality or language, is treated with dignity and respect.