May 01st, 2022 – Whoever talks about Labor Day must not be silent about migrant women

Under the motto "GeMAInsam Shaping the Future" of the German Trade Union Confederation, the International Day of Struggle of the Working Class will be celebrated this year to demonstrate for the rights of all employees and to point out social grievances and systemic injustices.

In view of the corona pandemic and the war of aggression against Ukraine, the question arises: whose future is at stake here? The working conditions of refugee and migrant women traditionally find little space on May 01st, even though an internationalist alliance has been organizing the May Day demonstration in Berlin since 2021 and the focus is on discrimination against migrants. For DaMigra, May 1st means: Solidarity and recognition for the workers who have fled or migrated, as well as for those who have been saving our health system from collapse for over two years!

When there are protests on May 1st for higher wages, better working conditions and for the observance of the rights of all employees, these demands often overlook the fact that migrants are affected by multiple discrimination in the labor market, which is mainly due to the more difficult access to the labor market, discrimination, poor pay and precarious employment. As early as 2018, a 2018 study by the OECD showed that immigrants hardly have access to qualified jobs or the public sector - i.e. to better-paid jobs.

In addition, there are many legal hurdles such as the residence requirement or the residence obligation, which many refugees are subject to, which hinders their mobility, finding jobs, studying or training. According to studies, there are many refugee women who do not apply for their professional qualifications to be recognized because recognition only seems to be worthwhile for higher qualifications[1]. In addition to discrimination in the application process, these hurdles are one of the reasons why almost one in three employed migrant women works in a job that only requires low qualifications. Immigrant women are more often overqualified and work part-time even more often than women born in Germany[2]. In addition, refugee women often find it difficult to access integration and language courses due to the lack of childcare facilities[3].

"On Labor Day it must be clear: Care work, whether paid or unpaid, is work! It's finally time to distribute care and education activities fairly and to reward them appropriately - through appreciation, improved working conditions and material rewards," says Lourdes Martínez, CEO of DaMigra eV.

With the arrival of refugees from Ukraine, it became clear that it is possible in Germany to give refugees quick access and easy access to education and the labor market if the political will is there. We reject the openly displayed double standard in the treatment of refugees depending on their origin and call for political measures that create conditions in which all refugees and migrants can live and work on an equal footing.

DaMigra eV represents the interests of women migrant organizations and their concerns and advocates equal opportunities, equal participation and the equality of women with a history of migration and refugee experience in Germany. DaMigra follows the approach of anti-racist feminism.

Press contact:

Fabiana Blasco | Press Officer East-South (she/her)
blasco@damigra.de

[1] Publication details research report | IAB

   Publication details short report | IAB

[2] Publication details short report | IAB

[3] What about the participation of refugee women in gainful employment? (fes.de)

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