A joint investigation by The Guardian and Investigate Europe has revealed systemic labor abuses and hazardous working conditions at datacentre construction projects across Europe. As the continent experiences a massive surge in digital infrastructure development, workers are reporting instances of wage theft, health risks, and intimidation.
Dangerous Conditions and Coercion
The investigation highlights the experience of workers like "Sandu," an electrical tester at a Google site in Saint-Ghislain, Belgium. Sandu described a culture of fear where employees feel compelled to bypass safety protocols—such as wearing protective gear—to meet grueling deadlines. Workers reported that refusing overtime or questioning safety standards often resulted in the threat of termination.
Beyond electrical hazards, the report documents substandard living conditions for migrant laborers, including exposure to disease and inadequate housing. Many workers, often employed through complex chains of subcontractors, face significant barriers to reporting these abuses, fearing retaliation or the loss of their livelihoods.
Industry Oversight Under Scrutiny
The findings raise urgent questions regarding the oversight of major tech companies and their contractors. While datacentres are essential to the growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, the human cost of their rapid expansion remains largely hidden behind layers of subcontracting. Advocates are now calling for greater transparency and stricter enforcement of labor laws to ensure that the infrastructure powering Europe’s digital future does not rely on the exploitation of its workforce.
