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The posting of workers in the German construction industry: responses and problems of trade union action

Author

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  • Marcus Kahmann

    (Political scientist (Dipl. Pol.) and sociologist (Masters) — Free University of Berlin, Department for Political Sciences; University of Paris X, Department of Sociology — 8, rue de la Chapelle — F-75018 Paris)

Abstract

Over the last two decades, in a number of EU Member States labour migration in the construction industry has predominantly taken the form of the posting of workers. This article traces the responses of the German construction union IG BAU to this phenomenon. To this end, it distinguishes between three levels of action: relations with the state, relations with employers and autonomous action. It shows that the union's efforts have concentrated on the first two levels. IG BAU's steps to include migrant workers into its ranks have been taken only cautiously. While the union has achieved a number of successes in terms of regulating the labour market, limits of these policies have become apparent. There are signs that IG BAU has reacted to these limits by developing more inclusive organisational policies, notably by founding the European Migrant Workers Union.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcus Kahmann, 2006. "The posting of workers in the German construction industry: responses and problems of trade union action," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 12(2), pages 183-196, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:12:y:2006:i:2:p:183-196
    DOI: 10.1177/102425890601200206
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ines Wagner, 2015. "EU posted work and transnational action in the German meat industry," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 21(2), pages 201-213, May.
    2. Nouria Ouali & Steve Jefferys, 2015. "Hard times for trade union anti-racism workplace strategies," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 21(1), pages 99-113, February.
    3. Bettina Wagner & Anke Hassel, 2016. "Posting, subcontracting and low-wage employment in the German meat industry," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 22(2), pages 163-178, May.

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