Developed special information systems for workers outside Germany in the field of constructions and agriculture

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    Hans-Joachim Wilms
    Trade Union for Construction, Agriculture and the Environment (IG BAU)

    The Trade Union for Construction, Agriculture and the Environment, to which I belong, has about 250 000 members and is one of the largest industrial affiliates of the DGB (German Confederation of Trade Unions).

    The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a challenge on different fronts.

    Firstly, two of our main fields of activity are construction and agriculture, where a considerable percentage of workers come from other European countries. We have therefore had to take several measures to provide an environment in which workers can feel that they are being taken care of. We developed a special information system, via e-mail and SMS, but also a dedicated section of our homepage which has been translated into nine different languages, so that workers can access all the information needed. This website is being updated weekly to provide guidelines on how people can deal with the Covid-19 situation, what protection mechanisms exist, and what legal framework they can access. We also have a call centre operating in the nine languages that can help with workers' deeper concerns and needs.

    Secondly, we are offering an information service, updated weekly, for our colleagues working as cleaners or in closed environments.

    The third focus is on representing the interests of companies and at local level. Information about legal provisions and ways of organising protection mechanisms for employees is updated daily. For example, sanitary measures due to COVID-19 mean that mobile toilets are not being used, and companies therefore have to offer alternatives. 

    Because the pandemic has given rise to rise serious issues that need to be addressed, 30 of our staff members are now working full-time on dealing with COVID-19 matters. This enables us to be prepared and offer solutions enabling our workers to do their jobs in a safe environment.