Berlin's Left Party Pushes for Better Refugee Shelter Working Conditions

Berlin's refugee shelters, largely managed by private contractors, see the city's Senate focusing on cost during procurement. The Left Party has proposed transferring control to the municipality to enhance working conditions, as current oversight is limited.

Berlin's refugee shelters are a mix of non-profit and for-profit operators, each facing challenges in ensuring good working conditions. The Senate does not track compliance with collective agreements, leaving employees' rights uncertain. Some operators, like those run by the Evangelical Church or Diakonisches Werk, do have such agreements in place.

The city has a low rate of collectively agreed employment contracts due to many small businesses and start-ups. The Left Party has proposed transferring shelters to municipal control and paying employees according to the state's collective agreement. However, the short contract duration for operating shelters makes secure employment difficult to guarantee.

Working conditions are often overlooked, with the Berlin minimum wage of 13.69 euros applying if there's no branch-specific minimum wage. Elif Eralp, the migration policy spokesperson for the Left Party, has criticized the lack of control over working conditions in refugee shelters.

Berlin is exploring a 'portfolio strategy' to accommodate both homeless people and refugees. Meanwhile, the Senate is considering prioritizing state-owned housing companies for operating shelters, which could provide better working conditions and secure housing for former residents. However, the details of this plan are yet to be finalized.