Onsite-Werkverträge: Verbreitung und Praktiken im Verarbeitenden Gewerbe

Based on a representative telephone survey for Germany and twelve case studies, the article examines the distribution of onsite subcontracting in manufacturing, the motives underlying those practices, and the role of illegal forms of subcontracting (‘Schein-Werkverträge’). The quantitative analysis shows that onsite subcontracting increases with the number of the employees at the company. In terms of their motives, managers mostly mention socially desirable aspects, like increasing flexibility. The case studies show, however, that differences in labour regulation (collective agreements, work and employment conditions that differ between firms, industries and states), and the aim to circumvent the personnel management of a group of persons who are perceived as problematic, are important reasons for choosing onsite subcontracting. The representative telephone survey shows that a surprisingly large number of subcontracting practices operates ‘at or beyond the border’ of German law. This is confirmed by the results of case studies.