On 20 October, German cleaners launched a general strike for decent wages and other employment conditions. On the first strike day, some 1,000 cleaners would have downed their tools and more are expected to join them. In numerous offices, public institutions and hospitals, dirt is piling up and airplanes have to depart late or uncleaned, union IG BAU has announced. Measures have been taken to prevent problems at critical services such as intensive care facilities. Among other things, the union demands a pay rise and a reduction of the pay gap between cleaners in the East and the West of Germany. Currently, the minimum wage is Euro 8.15 per hour for cleaners in the West, and Euro 6.58 in the East. Many of the cleaners are immigrants. "We live in Europe, but our living conditions are not up to European standards," cleaner Habibe Karafil told newspaper Milliyet.
English: http://unionrenewal.blogspot.com/2009/10/germany-cleaners .