Timelines

Migration ist eine globale Realität und seit jeher Teil der Menschheitsgeschichte. Dennoch gehört sie bis heute zu den am stärksten umkämpften öffentlichen Themen. 

Sowohl Menschen als auch Grenzen sind ständig in Bewegung. Wer sich bewegen darf und wem Rechte zugesprochen werden, zeigt, wer als Teil der Nation angesehen wird. In Deutschland wie in den Vereinigten Staaten sind diese Debatten — und die damit verbundenen politischen und gesellschaftlichen Praktiken — eng mit sich wandelnden Vorstellungen von „Rasse“, Kultur und Sprache verbunden. 

Diese Zeitleisten zeigen, wie Rechte und Zugehörigkeit durch Gesetze, migrantische Bewegungen und Kämpfe, globale Ereignisse und kulturelle Werke ausgehandelt, infrage gestellt und neu definiert wurden — und wie diese Geschichten bis heute nachwirken. 

Entstanden sind die Zeitleisten in einem community-basierten Prozess gemeinsam mit Partner*innen aus migrantischen Selbstorganisationen, Bildungsinstitutionen und Wissenschaft sowie mit Unterstützung vieler weiterer Beteiligter und Ehrenamtlicher.

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1991
Layoffs of ‘contract workers’ in breach of contract

The executive order of June 13, 1990 redefined the legal status of foreign citizens working in Germany and worsened this situation further, as employers could now dismiss migrant workers for “compelling reasons”.

Since these reasons were not specified, employers were free to interpret the law as they chose. What followed was a wave of mass dismissals, plunging migrant laborers into an extremely precarious situation. The government offered a 3000 mark compensation to those willing to immediately repatriate. Some firms allowed their migrant employees to work until the expiration of their contracts. Since many migrant laborers were ignorant of their rights, they left the Federal Republic of Germany. Those who remained were faced with an uncertain future. In order to acquire leave to remain in Germany, they had to be in possession of secure employment, sufficient living space (12 square meters for adults) and a clean record. However, as available jobs were few and tended to be given to members of the German majority population, this situation proved difficult. Many recognized that their best opportunities lay in establishing their own businesses and entered into the retail or wholesale sector, as  the proprietors of flower shops, snack bars, and clothing stores. Others, who saw no chance of acquiring a job and held an illegal migrant status, sold smuggled cigarettes and were as a result frequently subject to police sanction and violence.
The government promises compensation of 3,000 DM to those who are willing to leave the country immediately.
Germany
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