Günter Wallraff: 40 years at the bottom – a look at the grievances!

Günter Wallraff: 40 years at the bottom – a look at the grievances!

On October 21, 1985, a book was published that still resonates in the hearts of many people today: “All the Way Down” by Günter Wallraff. With over five million copies sold in German, this work is the most successful non-fiction book in Germany and has long since gained international attention, having been translated into 38 languages, and has found its place even in countries without significant labor migration. Wallraff, who is now 83 years old and lives in Cologne-Ehrenfeld, has highlighted clear social injustices over the past decades through his critical and often risky reports.

His most famous prank was the undercover research in which he posed as a Turkish migrant Ali Sigirlioğlu. Wallraff conducted this experiment over two years, altering his appearance with contact lenses and a wig and adopting a stereotypical accent. Without mincing his words, he documented the discrimination and exploitation of migrants in a variety of jobs, from working in a Thyssen steel factory to a job at McDonald's. These experiences are not only shocking, but also highlight the human costs associated with poor labor laws.

A courageous look behind the facade

In his book, Wallraff not only openly presented the physical and psychological stress he experienced as a Turkish worker, but also drew attention to the catastrophic working conditions. A lack of protective equipment, low wages and social pressure meant that migrants were often treated like “expendable tools”. His experiences touched on the roots of the social problems of the time and have long since led to the founding of initiatives such as “Foreigner Solidarity” to support newcomers to Germany. These cross-border issues are more relevant today than ever, especially in the context of today's migrant workers from Eastern Europe and Africa who have to work under similar precarious conditions.

Wallraff himself never feared for his own head. He received death threats because of his relentless research. During the interview with the Berliner Zeitung, he said that he feels like he is part of an unjust society that often ignores the marginalized. “The gaps were already unbridgeable before Corona,” says Wallraff, who also critically questions the gap between political institutions and the needs of the people. In his opinion, the corona pandemic has only further strengthened this division.

Memories and better dealing with injustices

Günter Wallraff has always understood how to stand up for the weakest in society and tell their stories. Ten years after the publication of “The Bottom,” improvements in working conditions began to appear, including the introduction of dust masks and hard hats. When asked how he perceives the changes in society, he makes it clear that there is still a long way to go to address social inequalities. “We should preserve the positive achievements, but at the same time not lose sight of the challenges that lie ahead,” he explains.

Wallraff's tireless commitment to justice and human rights will not be forgotten, and his work will be read closely around the world, even in countries where he has not been. “All the Way Down” vividly shows the dark sides of labor migration and does not leave us untouched even today. His commitment not only offers a look into the past, but also encourages us to actively address current grievances and demand change.