Migrants in Sweden had to live on a former mink farm
Date: 2007-08-10
“Lotta from Poland picks lettuces in Sweden from seven in the morning till nine in the evening. The story is not an unusual one,” says Sofia Berglund from Kommunal.
“Lotta works from morning till evening, but she only get half an hour’s lunch break and two short 15 minute breaks. Where she works there is no shower or changing room. If they complain to the employer, they get told off and occasionally physically roughed up. The employer says that migrant workers can very easily be replaced by other workers.”
This is reported by Sofia Berglund, an investigator at Kommunal and expert in conditions for foreign migrants working in Swedish agriculture.
Working conditions for migrant workers in horticulture and agriculture are difficult. One main issue is that the salaries paid out are often well below those in the collective agreement. Kommunal’s representatives have met workers who have been earning only SEK 10-15 per hour even though according to the agreement the wage should be SEK 87.05 per hour. But even when the basic wage is right, there are often problems with working hours far above what is permitted in law and with getting overtime payment, unsocial hours supplements and holiday pay.
Furthermore, it is common for the dwellings to be cramped and inferior.
“There are camps which lacked running water, where the toilets are undersized and where there are no shower facilities. One of the worst camps I have seen had workers living on a former mink farm. I have also seen courtyards with over 30 caravans with 10 workers living in each one and caravans parked alongside dung heaps. What must it be like, living like that from April to September?”
Sofia explains that the workers are extremely vulnerable.
The employer often threatens to change them for other people who are queuing up to work. This leads to many of them not daring to go sick even if they’re feeling ill. Similarly, it is common for them to not dare report accidents at work or to not know how to make such a report.”
There are many different categories of migrant worker in Swedish agriculture. Many are seasonal workers from Poland or the Baltic. One large group of workers returns to Sweden year after year.
“Many workers from Poland have worked in Sweden for a long time. They have got to know the Swedish system and a lot of their countrymen are in Sweden. A number of these have gradually managed to improve their situation. Many of them have also changed jobs and gone into more lucrative sectors. Former farm workers are becoming craftsmen. At the same time, new groups of workers are coming from the Baltic, the Ukraine, Byelorussia, Moldavia and Thailand. These are often more vulnerable and get even worse conditions.”
So, what can Kommunal do to support migrant workers in Swedish agriculture? A great deal is happening, but there are many obstacles to surmount. Sofia says that one difficulty is getting into the workplaces at all.
“If there is no collective agreement, the Union cannot gain access. It can also be difficult to get in contact with the workers. They often keep away. Occasionally, they think the Union is after them which of course is not the case. They are also aware that the employers do not like them having contact with the Union.”
But Sofia is also able to describe workers who Kommunal has been able to help. One example concerned a couple from Poland who worked in Skåne for 15 years.
“They were systematically receiving SEK 15 too little per hour. With the support of Kommunal, they have now received SEK 50,000 and SEK 65,000 respectively from the employer for work carried out during the past two years.
Furthermore, Kommunal has been contributing to a special Swedish Trade Union Confederation project called “Orderliness on the labour market”.
“In it, we set requirements for laws and agreements to be followed when migrant workers are employed. We also welcome everyone who comes to work in Sweden. Kommunal’s vision is for all workers in the sector to be union members,” says Sofia.
MATS WINGBORG