List of violation of occupational safety and health law and workers rights

Violation of occupational safety and health law and workers rights

The most common workers laws must be fulfilled. If this is not the case it is violation of rights and you therefore should claim counselling and assistance.
– Working hours: The collective agreement usually prescribes a working week of between 37 and 40 hours. Germans, however, actually work an average of almost 41 hours a week.
– Wages and salaries: A standard minimum wage applies in Germany of EUR 8.50 per hour (2017). Every employee is entitled to receive this pay at the least. There are, however, currently exceptions in a few industries. Many have their own higher minimum wages, the building trade, for example. Otherwise, wages are negotiated in collective bargaining between trade unions and employers’ associations. If there is no collective wage agreement in your industry, you must negotiate your pay with the employer yourself.
– Holiday: Every employee in Germany is entitled to paid annual holiday. The statutory minimum holiday entitlement each year is currently (2017) 20 days (for a regular five-day week) or 24 days (for a six-day week).
– Social security: As an employee in Germany, you are a member of the national social security system. It comprises statutory health, nursing, accident, pension and unemployment insurance. As soon as you are registered as an insured person, you will be assigned a so-called social insurance number. Inform your employer of this and keep a safe record of it at home.
– You have the right to have a written contract. If you are not handed a contract of employment, this should give you reason for suspicion – enquire at the trade association or your employment agency. The contract of employment regulates both your rights and obligations and those of the employer. The most important provisions are the description of your work tasks and your remuneration, the duration of the probationary period, working hours and your workplace, your pay and the agreed fringe benefits as well as break-time and holiday regulations. The contract of employment often makes reference to a current collective agreement that the sectoral employers’ association has concluded with the respective trade union, which you can have a look at if you wish (ask your employer or works council about this).
– Health, safety, and hygiene in the workplace
– Protective measures relating to working and employment conditions for pregnant women, women who have recently given birth, children, and young people,
– Equal treatment of men and women and other anti-discrimination provisions.

There are different public institutions in charge for violation of worker’s rights:
– Gewerbeaufsichtsamt, Regierung von Oberbayern,
Heßstraße 130, 80797 München,
T +49 (89) 2176 – 1, Fax: +49 (89) 2176 – 3102, email: leitergaa@reg-ob.bayern.de

– Customs (Enquiries in English),
T +49 351 44834-530, Fax: +49 351 44834-590, E-mail: enquiries.english@zoll.de

– Trade unions: for instance DGB München (in German): www.muenchen.dgb.de.

– Or get legal advice from a lawyer or an accountant.