By Sohaib Shams
An investigation by the Guardian and Investigate Europe has uncovered widespread exploitation of migrant workers building datacentres across Europe, including dangerous working conditions, unpaid wages, and unreported disease outbreaks.
Electrocution at Google site in Belgium
At a Google datacentre in Saint-Ghislain, Belgium, a 34-year-old electrical tester identified as Sandu suffered a severe arc flash electrocution in March after being directed to work on live 400-volt, 12,000-amp lines without protective gear. He sustained burns to 12% of his body and spent five days in an induced coma. The local labour inspectorate closed its investigation in October finding no wrongdoing, and no company has been held liable.
Disease outbreak and poor conditions at Microsoft site in Sweden
In Gävle, Sweden, workers at a Microsoft AI datacentre expansion site operated by subcontractor BenBau reported crowded housing with 24 people sharing a kitchen and 14 men sharing a bathroom, along with vermin, broken ventilation, and no heating in sub-zero temperatures. In February, a Romanian worker tested positive for active tuberculosis; others in the same housing showed symptoms. BenBau initially limited testing and moved another worker into the infected worker's room. Swedish authorities recorded no outbreak.
Unpaid wages and excessive hours
More than 30 workers provided payslips showing up to 50-60 hour weeks without overtime or holiday pay. The union Solidariska Byggare recently brokered a settlement with BenBau for back pay and union access. Since 2021, Sweden's Work Environment Authority has opened 50 cases into datacentre sites involving Microsoft and Irish firms.
Pattern across Europe and regulatory gaps
Similar patterns appear across Europe, according to Unite the Union's James McCabe, who cited lack of union access and labor crimes at sites with Irish contractors. European Parliament rapporteur Johan Danielsson warned that US multinationals are importing anti-union models. Google and Microsoft stated they require suppliers to comply with labor laws and have auditing processes.
