German Government Unveils Strategy to Combat Exploitation and Forced Labor

The German government has taken significant steps to address the pressing issue of labor exploitation and forced labor, particularly in the hospitality, cleaning, and construction sectors. Despite the common perception that such violations primarily occur abroad, numerous individuals in Germany face exploitation on a daily basis, often going unreported and unpunished.

Exploitation can lead to severe penalties, including monetary fines and prison sentences of up to ten years. According to Section 233 of the German Penal Code, it is a crime to exploit someone by taking advantage of their personal or economic vulnerability.

Experts estimate that there are at least 100,000 cases of labor exploitation in Germany each year. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has urged member states to implement binding measures against exploitation, and following its ratification in 2019, Germany has now introduced its first national strategy aimed at preventing and combating labor exploitation and forced labor.

Under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the government has approved a national action plan that consists of over 83 measures, some of which are already in progress. Key components of this strategy include expanding advisory and informational services for workers and improving collaboration between authorities at both national and cross-border levels.

The strategy emphasizes the need for enhanced state controls, a demand that experts have made for years. Although the Federal Financial Control of Illicit Employment (FKS) has reported some recent successes in investigations, the Federal Criminal Police Office indicates that only 20 cases of exploitation were concluded in 2023, with an official record of 183 victims. The actual number of unreported cases is believed to be significantly higher.

Labor researcher René Böhme from the University of Bremen estimates that the number of cases could range between 100,000 and 200,000 annually. The government plans to strengthen the training and networking of inspection and enforcement agencies, beginning with a pilot project in Hesse.

The majority of labor exploitation and forced labor in Germany occurs within the restaurant and hotel industry, logistics firms, and building cleaning services. The construction sector also sees a disproportionate number of exploitation cases.

There are various reasons for the low number of reported cases, including language barriers among victims and a lack of awareness about available support services. Many workers are lured to Germany with false promises and find themselves in exploitative conditions, heavily reliant on their employers for housing and initial travel expenses.

One notable case that highlighted labor exploitation in Germany was the Tönnies meat scandal in 2020, where the company faced criticism for employing workers through subcontractors under poor conditions. Violations of labor standards, including excessive working hours and non-compliance with minimum wage laws, were reported. In response, the government tightened labor protection laws, resulting in some improvements in industry conditions.

The new action plan marks a crucial step towards addressing these ongoing issues and ensuring that labor rights are upheld in Germany.