German Unity Day Honours Almuth Berger's Support for Vietnamese Workers
On German Unity Day, a ceremony honoured Almuth Berger (82) for her support of Vietnamese contract workers. The event, marking the 45th anniversary of the agreement to send workers to the DDR, focused on the challenges faced by these workers in the 1990s.
In 1990, around 90,000 contract workers lived in the DDR, with 60,000 hailing from Vietnam. Despite their significant contribution, these workers faced difficulties after German reunification. In 1997, a right of residence was granted to those who were self-sufficient and crime-free, enabling family reunification and integration.
Berger, who passed away in 2018, was recognised for her dedication to these workers. She received an honorary certificate and flowers from former group leaders and interpreters. The man who paid tribute to Berger highlighted the 'difficult years' for these workers, who remitted 12 percent of their gross income to the Vietnamese state budget.
Today, the Vietnamese community in Germany remains divided, 35 years after German unity. Yet, events like these serve as reminders of the sacrifices made by Vietnamese contract workers and the support they received from individuals like Almuth Berger.
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