Crowded dormitories, excessive work schedules and low pay. These are the conditions faced by some migrant workers in Germany – the economic powerhouse of the EU. Many of the foreigners were promised much more before they left their own countries. The government in the north-western region of Lower Saxony is asking for federal help to tackle these abuses. ‘This has to stop. These are people who work in German companies and must be treated humanely and they also need to be represented by working councils,’ said Prime Minister of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil. There is no minimum wage in Germany. This can even mean pay of between three and six euros an hour or a monthly salary of between 300-500 euros. These types of low wages are prevalent in certain sectors, such as the meat industry. There are around two million of what are called ‘working poor’ in the country
Pray: that the government will seek ways of establishing fair and just pay for all workers. (Ps.112:5)