Unionist on Solidarity: Many Colleagues Knew Nothing About Our Problems
Irina Vavitsa, a 76-year-old former guest worker from Greece, recounts her experiences organizing a spontaneous strike at auto supplier Hella in Lippstadt, Germany, in 1973. She and other migrant workers protested after only German colleagues received a pay raise. The strike succeeded due to solidarity from other plants and the Ruhr area. Vavitsa describes the hardships of guest worker life: barracks housing, lack of childcare, and being forced to send her children to Greece ('suitcase children') because she had to return to work two months after giving birth. She notes that over 350 strikes were organized by migrants, demonstrating their capacity to fight for rights. Now in her mid-seventies, Vavitsa remains active in IG Metall, which has 2 million members, including 500,000 seniors. The interview highlights ongoing issues of migrant labor exploitation and the long-term trauma of family separation.
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