In recent years, order pickers from Eastern Europe have become an essential part of the German labour market. They are particularly valued as temporary workers and subcontractors, helping companies complete tasks quickly and efficiently. Their employment offers a cost-effective and flexible solution to meet growing demand and seasonal peaks. In this blog post, we’ll explore how businesses can benefit from hiring order pickers from Eastern Europe – whether through temporary staffing or subcontracting.
What are the working conditions for order pickers from Eastern Europe?
For many order pickers from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other Eastern European countries, finding fair working conditions in Germany can be a challenge. Companies often hire through temporary agencies or subcontractors to reduce costs — a practice that can lead to lower wages and less favourable working conditions for foreign workers. People from economically weaker countries, who rely on jobs abroad to support themselves and their families, are often most affected by this. That’s why it’s essential for employees to be aware of their rights and to make sure that employers comply with all legal requirements. Trade unions and workers’ associations can also offer valuable support in advocating for fair wages and better working conditions.
What are the legal framework conditions for order pickers from Eastern Europe as temporary workers or subcontractors?
Many workers from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Baltic States or Eastern Europe work in the production & manufacturing industry as order pickers, packers, sorters, production workers or fillers. However, there are some legal framework conditions that have to be considered by workers from abroad.
Temporary worker picker
Temporary workers are hired by a staffing agency and sent to work at other companies. Foreign workers have the same rights as German workers – especially for minimum wage and working hours. More on this>>>
Subcontractors from Eastern Europe
Subcontractors must be self-employed and have a registered business. They are responsible for following German rules on workplace safety and labour laws. It's also important that the client does not treat them as falsely self-employed, as this can lead to legal problems. More >>>
It is therefore important to find out about the legal framework in advance and, if necessary, to seek professional advice.
What are the advantages and disadvantages for companies that work with order pickers from Eastern Europe?
When it comes to employing order pickers from Eastern Europe, there are both advantages and disadvantages for companies. One big advantage is certainly the cost savings, as wages in Eastern Europe are often lower than in Western Europe. The flexibility and availability of the workforce is also a plus, as many Eastern European workers are willing to take on short-term jobs or even do shift work. However, there are also some disadvantages to consider. The language barrier can be a challenge, especially when it comes to communicating with other employees or clients. Cultural differences can also lead to misunderstandings. In addition, companies must ensure that they comply with all legal requirements and adhere to fair working conditions when employing Eastern European order pickers. Overall, it is important to carefully weigh up whether working with order pickers from Eastern Europe makes sense for one's own company and what precautions need to be taken to ensure a successful cooperation. When it comes to production workers or order pickers from Eastern Europe, there are both advantages and disadvantages for companies.
A big advantage is certainly the cost savings, as wages in Eastern Europe are often lower than in Western Europe. The flexibility and availability of the workforce is also a plus point, as many Eastern European workers are willing to take on short-term jobs or even do shift work.
However, there are also some disadvantages to consider. The language barrier can be a challenge, especially when it comes to communicating with other employees or customers. Also cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings. Furthermore companies must ensure that they comply with all legal requirements and adhere to fair working conditions when employing Eastern European order pickers. Overall, it is important to carefully weigh up whether working with order pickers from Eastern Europe makes sense for your own company and what precautions need to be taken to ensure a successful collaboration.
Are you looking for order pickers for your company? We are glad to help! We place production & manufacturing staff from Eastern Europe such as fillers, assembly line workers, order pickers, packing assistants, production assistants and inspectors.