The forgotten wages: fates of the African contract workers in the GDR

The forgotten wages: fates of the African contract workers in the GDR

In the 1980s, many people from socialist states, especially from Mozambique and Angola, lived in the GDR as "contract worker". Around 24,000 people were attracted to good training and payment by the promises. Prof. Dr. Marcia C. Schenck, a historian from Potsdam, researches the history of this worker from her perspective. In her work, she illuminates that many of these people are still waiting for parts of their wages, which served as a exchange mass between the states. The fate of this "Madgermanes", as the Mozambican contract workers were called, is part of a complex history that must be understood in the context of the Cold War.

After the independence of Angola and Mozambiks in 1975, these countries took up the posting of workers to the GDR in order to maintain support in building their economy. While Angola sent workers in 1984 and Mozambique in 1979, the hoped -for progress often failed to materialize, due to civil wars and economic problems in the sending countries. The GDR, on the other hand, made numerous training positions available, but often closed the eyes against the racism and exclusion of these workers.

hidden wages and a call for recognition

A significant part of the wages of the contract workers were withheld in order to reduce the debt of the African countries at the GDR. This practice led to mutual dependency, since Mozambique and Angola continued to send workers while the workers suffered from financial and social difficulties. Several former contract workers have now founded protest movements to request outstanding wages and to be recognized as a victim of socialist politics. Historian Christine Bartlitz recently discovered a collection of photos at a conference that document the proud faces of Mozambican contract worker.

Bartlitz and Isabel Enzenbach appealed to the federal government in an open letter to take more responsibility for the "Madgermanes". Over 100 historians demanded that the fate of this group, which was not treated in the unification contract, are finally recognized. The “Madgermanes” have been protesting the injustices that have happened to them for more than 30 years. The Federal Government, on the other hand, considers the topic to be compensated for what the affected and many scientists find inadequate.

personal stories and global relationships

The reports of former contractual workers tell of a life full of contradictions: positive experiences in training face negative experiences such as racism. Many of them remember their time in the GDR nostalgically, but at the same time criticize the current conditions in their countries of origin. Prof. Schenck has carried out over 260 interviews with former contract workers, students and government officials in Mozambique and Angola since 2011. These interviews have offered the basis for their research work and a collective biography that is supposed to combine individual memories with great world history.

The micrococal approach by Schenck's research underlines the global interweaving of events and offers a deeper perspective on the history of contractual work. At a time when ancient narratives of GDR history are questioned, their work contributes to correcting common misconception and hearing the votes of the contract worker. It is a significant undertaking that finally puts the history of this largely marginalized group in the light.

The development around the “Madgermanes” impressively shows how complex the interdependencies of labor migration, socialist politics and their effects on individual biographies are. The discussion about wages, social responsibility and legal recognition continues to be conducted.

The results of Professor Schenck and her colleagues are an important step towards a more comprehensive and more nuanced representation of this life story.

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