Kenneth Glad
When you stream a movie or save a photo, the files have to live somewhere. Massive server farms are popping up rapidly. Building the foundations for this virtual world takes thousands of hands, and the work is incredibly dangerous.
A massive building boom is sweeping across Europe. Technology companies are expanding their operations at record speed to keep up with user demands.
Thousands of migrant workers are constructing these facilities. A joint investigation by The Guardian and Investigate Europe shows they face severe risks. Reports detail unpaid wages, cramped housing, and life-altering injuries on massive construction sites owned by major global brands.
An accident at a Belgian Google site highlights the danger. An electrical tester named Sandu suffered terrible burns after a massive shock on the job.
He took on a last-minute task without full protective gear. The pressure was immense. “I had no choice. People have been fired after saying no,” Sandu told reporters.
Hidden from view
The sudden blast sent 400 volts directly through his body, leaving him with severe burns. Doctors kept him asleep for five days. Local safety inspectors eventually closed the case without finding any company liable for the accident.
Google told journalists that its contracts require suppliers to follow local safety laws. Yet the joint investigation uncovered serious health issues across the region.
Workers at a Microsoft project in Sweden reported freezing, cramped living conditions. Up to 24 people shared a single kitchen.
Medical records obtained by reporters show one worker contracted tuberculosis. Subcontractors allegedly kept quiet about the dangerous infection. This failure to report left other vulnerable workers completely in the dark.
Missing the mark
Missing pay is another major problem. Dozens of payslips shared with journalists suggest laborers regularly work up to 60 hours a week. They receive absolutely no overtime compensation.
A Swedish labor union recently stepped in. They secured a settlement for staff working at the Microsoft site. Microsoft stated that it conducts strict audits and demands fair practices from all its partners.
Politicians are growing frustrated. Many worry that wealthy foreign companies are quietly ignoring basic worker protections on these sites.
Member of the European Parliament Johan Danielsson pointed out the clear danger. “Behind the fence they are abusing workers, and they don’t want anyone to know it,” he told The Guardian.
