Berlin stage workers unite against precarious labor and unfair contracts
Workers at Berlin-based stage construction firm 36 Stage XL have taken collective action to challenge precarious working conditions. Employees, including stagehand Vojta C., report issues like unpaid sick leave, unstable contracts, and unsafe workloads. In response, they have joined forces with the anarchist grassroots union FAU to demand fairer treatment and legal protections. Two workers, Vojta C. and German Garcia, faced similar struggles while employed by 36 Stage XL. Vojta handled heavy lifting and event setup for major Berlin productions, enduring physically demanding shifts. Garcia initially worked under a minijob contract with set weekly shifts, but later moved to a temporary agreement offering no guaranteed hours or social insurance.
Both workers encountered problems when illness prevented them from working. Garcia was denied pay for missed shifts, while Vojta received no compensation for lost wages. After Garcia filed an unfair dismissal claim and reached a settlement, his shifts were drastically reduced.
The FAU has now launched Stage Workers United, an online campaign offering advice on labour rights and workplace safety. A commissioned legal review also suggests that 36 Stage XL's employment contracts may violate German law. While general regulations under the Civil Code (BGB) and the Act Against Restrictions on Competition (GWB) apply to temporary contracts, the events industry lacks sector-specific protections.
Workers have formed a workplace group under the FAU to push for better conditions. Their demands include fair pay, stable contracts, and improved safety measures in an industry known for intense physical strain and rare permanent roles. The campaign highlights long-standing issues in Germany's events sector, where temporary contracts and weak enforcement leave workers vulnerable. With legal concerns raised over 36 Stage XL's practices, the FAU's efforts aim to secure clearer rights for stagehands and technical staff. The outcome could set a precedent for how precarious labour is addressed in the industry.
