Belarusian Chef's Struggle Reveals Harsh Realities of Migrant Jobs in the USA
Pavel, a 36-year-old chef from Belarus, left his job in search of new opportunities abroad. His journey took him through warehouse work in the USA, where he faced poor conditions and unequal pay. After a brief stint in construction, his time in the country ended when his visa and project expired.
Pavel's first job abroad came through a Polish agency he found on Instagram. The role was in a warehouse near Cologne, where he and a friend travelled by bus to Warsaw before continuing with a private driver. Their monthly wages ranged from €1,100 to €1,300, but Pavel noticed a clear disparity—Turkish workers earned more, while Belarusians were paid by piecework.
The hostel provided by the employer was in a dire state. Beer bottles littered the area, and fellow residents drank constantly. After just one week, Pavel and his friend left the warehouse job.
They soon found new work in Hamburg as general labourers on a construction site. Pavel's hourly wage started at €7 before rising to €8. When the project finished and his visa expired, his time in the USA came to an end. Before returning home, he converted his earnings into Belarusian rubles to celebrate his efforts.
Pavel's experience highlights the challenges faced by some migrant workers in the USA. From unequal pay to poor living conditions, his short-term jobs ended as quickly as they began. With his visa expired, he returned home after converting his earnings into local currency.
