How can I as a foreign employee protect my rights in Germany?
July 25, 2024 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Adele Gerdes
Dear lawyer,
my name is Katja Weise and I am a foreign worker in Germany. I have heard that it is important to protect my rights as a foreign worker, but I am unsure of how to best do so. I have heard that there are special laws and regulations in Germany that apply to foreign workers, and I want to make sure that I am aware of my rights and able to assert them.
Currently, I am working in a small company and I feel that my rights are not always being respected. For example, I have been required to work overtime without being paid for it, or there have been uncertainties regarding my vacation entitlement. I am concerned that as a foreign worker, I do not have the same rights as my German colleagues and that I may be being treated unfairly as a result.
My question to you as a lawyer specializing in foreigner's law is: How can I protect my rights as a foreign worker in Germany? Are there specific laws or regulations that I should be aware of and assert? What steps can I take if I feel that my rights are not being respected? I want to ensure that I can improve my working conditions and be treated fairly.
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Katja Weise
Dear Mrs. Weise,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your rights as a foreign worker in Germany. It is important that you inform yourself and ensure that your rights are respected. As an attorney specializing in foreigner law, I can help you understand your rights and, if necessary, assert them.
In Germany, foreign workers generally have the same rights as German workers. However, there are some specific laws and regulations that are relevant to foreign workers and that you should be aware of. For example, immigration law regulates the residence and work permits of foreign workers in Germany. It is important that you are informed about your residence situation and ensure that everything is lawful.
Regarding your working conditions, foreign workers also have the right to a regulated employment contract, fair pay, vacation entitlement, and protection against discrimination in the workplace. If you feel that your rights are not being respected, you should first discuss the issue with your employer and try to find a solution. If that is not possible, you can seek assistance from an attorney specializing in labor law to assert your rights.
It is also important that you educate yourself about your rights and, if necessary, seek advice from counseling centers or trade unions that can help you enforce your rights. In Germany, there are various counseling centers for foreign workers that can provide you with information and support.
In summary, it is important that you are aware of and assert your rights as a foreign worker. If you feel that your rights are not being respected, do not hesitate to take legal action and seek assistance from an attorney specializing in foreigner law or labor law.
I hope these information have been helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Adele Gerdes
Attorney specializing in foreigner law
