On this workshop day we want to ask ourselves the question together: How are capitalism and migration connected? And what does this mean for the living situations of people?

February 29th

11 am – 6 pm

Osthafenforum

Lindleystraße 15 60314 Frankfurt

Breadline wages, unpaid overtime, racism at the workplace and the constant fear of losing their job and residence status: This is the reality of many migrants and refugees who live and work in Frankfurt am Main. Whereas in the past, socalled guest workers had to do all the work that members of the majority society did not want to do (anymore), today people with a history of migration and/or flight work under precarious conditions in the kitchens of large companies, in the cleaning sector or in the construction industry. Not infrequently, their residence status is directly or indirectly linked to their employment.

Together we want to address the question of the role of migrant labour under capitalism and learn about the situation of life for migrants employed in the lowwage sector. We do not want to talk about those affected, but rather learn with and from them.

Find out more about our program by clicking the arrows:

Keynote: Migrant labour under capitalism

What function do overexploited migrants and refugees fulfil on the German labour market? Are they the exception or the rule in a system that benefits from precarious workers and constantly produces new ones? What does this have to do with the guest labour regime of the 50s and 60s? In the keynote to the conference, Lisa Riedner will discuss the significance of migrant labour under capitalism.

Dr. Lisa Riedner is professor for flight and migration studies at the University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Her research interests include the relationship between migrant organisations and trade unions and she has published on the topic of migration movements to and within Europe and the precarisation of work.

I Discussion: Migrant labour under capitalism

We would like to take a closer look at the question of what function the work of migrants takes on within capitalist society. Especially the importance of illegalized employment and the changes towards a service society will be central topics of this workshop.

Dr. Johanna Neuhauser works at the Institute for Migration Research and Inter- cultural Studies (IMIS) at the University of Osnabrück. In her research she focuses on topics such as labour migration, gender and intersectionality.

II Workshop: Trauma and Powerlessness—how exclusion can affect the psychological well-being of migrants

Already traumatised on their way to Germany, refugees and migrants need stabilisation, acceptance and security—especially with regard to their own residence status—for their psychological recovery. Instead, the already experienced powerlessness is joined by a new, also stateorganized and lasting experience of being excluded. If these experiences of power lessness are not reflected and processed in the knowledge of “trauma”, there is a danger that measures labelled as “help” can end in violence.

Dr. Marcus Balzereit is a specialist for social work at medico international.

III Workshop: Fighting for our rights—the living situation of migrant workers in Frankfurt / Main

The socalled aliens law comprises a multitude of different laws and regulations: Many are more familiar with the conditions for people applying for asylum in Germany. This workshop will focus on the living conditions and experiences of people who have to work and live under illegal conditions, as well as those who lose their residence status directly with their job.

In cooperation with Project.Shelter. For more than five years Project.Shelter has been politically active for the rights of migrants in Frankfurt am Main who are threatened or affected by homelessness. People with and without a history of migration and flight are active in the group and work together in a grassroots democratic manner.

Final get together: What do we take from the event? Which questions remain open? What could be politically the next steps?

At the end of the day we want to talk with each other about the contents of the day and network in a relaxed atmosphere. What do we take from the event? Which questions remain open? What could be politically the next steps?

Program

Welcome Speech	11:00 am – 11:15 am
Keynote	11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Presentation of the workshops	12:15 pm – 12:30 pm
Break	12:30 pm – 01:00 pm
1st Workshop Phase	01:00 pm – 02:30 pm
Break	02:30 pm – 03:15 pm
2nd Workshop Phase	03:15 pm – 04:45 pm
Final get together	From 04:45 pm

In each of the two workshop phases all 3 workshops are offered—you are free to choose which ones you want to attend.

The event is open to all, free of charge and will be held in German and English — translation into the other language will be provided. Childcare will be provided. Food and drinks are available on a donation basis. If you want to support our event, we would be happy to receive donations.

How to support the event:

Our event is open and free for everyone – and of course it still costs money. If you want to support the event, you can donate by bank transfer.

Account holder: turn the corner e.V.
IBAN: DE44 5019 0000 6300 9023 49
BIC: FFVBDEFF
Institute: Frankfurter Volksbank e.G.

Who we are:

turn the corner wants to support political and solidarity groups. We also want to discuss and understand societal relations together—to this end, we network with other initiatives in order to jointly overcome division and exclusion.