UNIA Wins Back Pay for Polish Migrant Workers in Switzerland

17 November 2012: BWI reports on the intervention of UNIA Switzerland thanks to which ten Polish migrant workers who were working as electricians in the construction of the Chedi hotel received their much awaited back-wages.

Source: BWI news: connect.bwint.org/?p=569

UNIA is a Swiss affiliate of the global union federation Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI). It is the largest member of the Swiss Trade Union Confederation (USS).

The workers who had not been paid for several weeks revealed their predicament to Adam Rogalewski, a newly hired organizer with UNIA in outreaching to Polish migrant workers in Switzerland.

The Chedi hotel which was being projected as a one of the luxury hotels in Switzerland is being constructed by Andermatt Swiss Alps and it is part of a project that is being touted to promote tourism in the Alpine region.

During a regular round of visits Rogalewski who is fluent in English, German, and Polish discovered the workers plight. Although they had begun to work on June 25 for Condor Electric, the workers had only received their wages only twice as of mid-October. Without a regular salary the workers barely had enough money for food.

In addition, after further inspection, Rogalewski discovered that even though the workers’ employment contract stated that they were to work 40 hours a week, in reality they were working 58 hours a week. Despite the extra hours of work, they were only paid for 40 hours. It was also revealed that the workers had to pay an excessive amount for housing. Apparently nine of the workers were housed in one apartment and each worker was deducted 345 CHF for housing. The average for a one bedroom in the region is far less than the total amount of 3,105 CHF.

Although UNIA was able to successfully intervene on behalf of the workers who later joined the union, the situation is indicative of the many challenges migrant workers face when they are unaware of their legal rights and avenues of recourse. Recognizing this, UNIA believes it is important for trade unions to employ organizers who can speak the language in their outreach to migrant communities.