Germany - 2012
Do the trade unions engage in specific activities recruiting or supporting/defending the rights of migrants groups?
- Code:
- RED58
- Key Area:
- Employment
- Strand(s):
- Racism
| Short Answer |
Yes, there are specific activities recruiting of supporting/defending the rights of migrants groups by trade unions. |
| Qualitative Info |
In general, it is part of the statute of the German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB) to actively fight discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, ethnic origin, religion or belief system, a disability, age or sexual orientation, whenever it occurs in the economy, the state or in society [1]. In addition, within its training institution, the DGB includes a field of activity called “Migration & Qualification”(Migration & Qualifizierung) which aims to encourage migrants to actively participate in social processes and to enhance equality. In order to achieve these aims a variety of possibilities are offered, i.e. in form of workshops, that provide educational and informational support as well as guidance for multipliers – both trade union members and non-members. “Migration & Qualification” works together with a broad network of migrant organisations, churches and welfare organisations [2]. The United Services Union (ver.di) has a “Federal Work Group Migration” which is engaged in creating equal opportunities for migrants. In its statute, ver.di lists ways of achieving its general aims. Next to encouraging tolerance and the equality of rights irrespective of sex, race, ethnic origin, religion or belief system, disability, age or sexual orientation, this also includes “opposition to and combating of fascist, militaristic and racist influences” ) and “representing the interest of foreign workers, in particular through the promotion and realisation of integration in society, at the workplace and in the social sphere as well as through the active engagement in questions and problems that are specific to foreigners” [3]. Furthermore, a few trade unions became active in offering support services focusing on labour rights of undocumented migrants. For instance, the trade union ver.di initiated the project MigraAr and offers advice on labour rights to undocumented migrants in four cities [4]. Further, the German Federation of Trade Unions (Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund, DGB) launched a project aimed at supporting migrant workers from central and east European countries in achieving fair wages and working conditions [5]. In 2008, the United Services Union, ver.di, passed a decree which recognises migrants as an official group within the trade union structures and encourages them to become more active in the trade union [6]. With this status, which gives migrant unionists a stronger voice within the decision-making structures of the trade union, migrant union members are now entitled to establish their own migrant committees on the regional, state and national levels. These committees are expected to contribute to a greater awareness and consideration of migrant related issues in the trade union and in the broader public; they can organise independently specific trainings and information events, disseminate position papers and other materials [7]. Sources:
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| Groups affected/interested | |
| Type (R/D) | |
| Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas | Anti-discrimination, Anti-racism |
| External Url | |
| Situation(s) |
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