# Migrant workers face hazardous conditions and exploitation on Europe’s datacentre sites

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/electrocutions-disease-and-no-pay-how-workers-risk-exploitation-in-europes-datacentres/
- Published: 2026-10-30T05:00:46+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-30T08:32:31+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/oct/30/electrocutions-disease-and-no-pay-how-workers-risk-exploitation-in-europes-datacentres
- Topics: Americas, Business, Europe, Health, Markets, Medicine, Technology, World

## Key points

- Migrant workers report hazardous conditions on European datacentre sites.
- A worker suffered severe burns in an electrical accident in Belgium.
- Swedish workers secured back pay and union access after a settlement.

## Summary

An investigation into Europe’s datacentre construction boom found evidence that migrant workers face dangerous conditions and labour exploitation across several countries. One electrical tester at a Google site in Belgium suffered severe burns after he says he was told power lines were off when they were live; unions say workers may fear speaking up because they risk losing their jobs.

Interviews and documents also pointed to overcrowded, poorly maintained housing in Sweden, an unreported tuberculosis case, and workers missing overtime and holiday pay. More than 2,300 datacentres operate in Europe, with hundreds more being built; in Gävle, a union representing 70 Romanian workers secured a settlement for back pay and union access. Companies cited in the investigation said they require safe conditions and compliance with labour laws.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.