Undercover as a Farm Worker in Germany

The article by Saša Uhlová in The Guardian provides a firsthand account of the harsh realities faced by migrant farm workers in Germany. Uhlová goes undercover to experience the grueling conditions, revealing that workers often endure long hours—up to 14 a day—without clear end times or adequate breaks. The pay is low, at €6.20 per hour, and workers are subjected to double reporting of hours to meet legal requirements while actually working more. The physical demands of the job lead to exhaustion and pain, with workers often feeling invisible and unacknowledged by the affluent customers who frequent the farm's organic shop. Despite the difficult conditions, many workers remain hopeful of improving their lives back home, sending money to support their families. The article highlights the systemic exploitation of migrant labor in the food industry, where the demand for cheap labor perpetuates a cycle of hardship and dependency.

- Migrant farm workers in Germany face long hours and low pay, often working up to 14 hours a day.

- Workers experience physical exhaustion and pain, with no clear end to their shifts.

- There is a practice of double reporting hours to meet legal requirements while actual hours worked are higher.

- Many workers send money back home to support their families, despite the harsh conditions.

- The article underscores the systemic exploitation of migrant labor in the European food industry.