Scandal about working conditions: Romanian worker exploited in Wismar!

Scandal about working conditions: Romanian worker exploited in Wismar!

Especially in today's world, when many jobs depend on subcontractors, it is crucial to shed light on working conditions. A current example of this is the story of Anamaria Ciocia from Romania, who worked at the Meyer Werft in Wismar. A large cruise ship is being built for Disney here, and what goes on behind the scenes is horrifying. Anamaria, who was referred to the Lithuanian company Maviga Pro through a Romanian placement agency, was unlucky enough to break her ankle on May 24th. Since then, she has been waiting for her work accident to be recognized and for outstanding wages, while she points out the desolate living conditions in a cattle shed. Such accommodations are far from meeting the expectations of workers who are looking for a family future abroad. It becomes clear again and again that the chain of subcontractors has disastrous consequences not only for Anamaria, but for many of her colleagues.

The fact that working conditions are often disregarded via subcontractors explains why the conditions are so catastrophic. Anamaria and her colleagues were assigned to haul trash off the ship instead of working on the interior, which is what they were originally hired to do. In addition, Anamaria did not have health insurance during her work and did not receive any support after her accident. These circumstances led some of their Romanian colleagues to flee the unsafe and unreasonable situation prematurely. The “CORRECT – Work and Life” association finally stepped in, helped her enforce her rights and accompanied her to the doctor, which fortunately is not the norm in such cases.

Responsibility and legal hurdles

The problem of responsibility often remains unsolved in a network of subcontractors. Maviga Pro and NIT (Naval Interior Team GmbH) denied responsibility for the working conditions, the ball is constantly passed back and forth between the companies. This not only creates a great feeling of insecurity among workers, but also complicates legal recourse. For many foreign workers it is a challenge to enforce their claims. They are often forced to file a lawsuit in their home country, while their employers can avoid the legal consequences.

What about other industries? According to a study into parcel delivery, working conditions here are just as problematic. Serious violations of minimum wage laws have been identified, and many workers report unpaid overtime and emotional exhaustion. Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil has already announced measures to prevent similar abuses, including a ban on contracting work to subcontractors. This step could bring about a change and bring more transparency to the industry, in which almost half of the workforce is currently employed through subcontractors.

The path to improvement

A “direct employment requirement” could help to strengthen the rights of employees and define employers’ responsibilities more clearly. The truth is: conversations about how such laws can actually be implemented are only just beginning. However, according to an investigation, there are legal avenues for such a requirement, which would potentially be compatible with EU law if it serves to protect workers.

A look at the numbers shows the urgency of action. In 2024, there were 69 serious work accidents in Germany, seven of which were fatal. Employers have a duty to ensure safe working conditions and to report workplace accidents. But the reality is often different: many accidents go unreported and the risk to workers remains high. The issue of occupational safety is not only regulated by law, but also a moral responsibility that every employer should take on.

It remains to be hoped that through public education and the activities of organizations such as CORRECT, an improvement in working conditions can be achieved. It is important to put an end to exploitation by subcontractors and the associated abuses, not only in shipping but also in many other industries.