Microsoft data centre workers in Sweden awarded €1.3m amid Investigate Europe exposé of labour violations
Credit: Solidariska byggare
Romanian workers at Microsoft mega development to benefit from better pay and safeguards after historic deal struck with Irish construction firm.
A landmark collective agreement between dozens of migrant workers and a large Irish construction firm building a Microsoft data centre in Sweden was brokered last week, just days before Investigate Europe exposed extensive alleged labour abuses at the development.
In a five-month investigation with media partners in nine countries, Electrocutions, ‘mental terror’ and withheld wages: the exploited workers building Europe’s data centres, reporters revealed evidence of labour violations, poor working conditions and blocked union access at projects across the continent involving US tech giants.
The exposé detailed the significant role played by a number of Irish-owned contractors used by the likes of Microsoft and Google to build Europe’s sprawling new AI data centres.
Reporters interviewed workers and union representatives across Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands as part of the investigation.
At the Microsoft site in Gävle, Sweden, migrant construction workers for the Irish firm Benbau alleged they often worked up to 60 hour weeks, faced regular harassment, and had been forced to admit to workplace infractions they never committed.
“It now feels like we are in the army service,” one Romanian worker told Investigate Europe. “They [Benbau] rule on terror, mental terror.”
Following months of stalled negotiations with Benbau to obtain lost wages and stronger worker protections, the Solidariska byggare union reached an historic 15 million Swedish Krona (€1.3 million) collective agreement on Friday 23 October for its 78 members working on the project.
The agreement, which will take effect on 1 November, was reached days after Investigate Europe and partners sent requests for comment to Benbau detailing the alleged abuses.
“The new collective agreement is the first Swedish collective agreement written by and for migrant workers,” said Pelle Sunvisson, a union leader who led the talks.
While Sweden does not have a minimum wage, it is customary for companies to have collective agreements with unions when construction projects begin.
Construction firms on the Microsoft project in Gävle often do not have such agreements in place, leaving many migrant workers vulnerable to low wages, no overtime pay, and fewer workplace safeguards.
As part of the settlement, Solidariska byggare members will receive compensation for backpay and improved salaries. They will earn 260 Swedish Krona (€23.49) per hour, well above the national average.
Romanian workers there told Investigate Europe they had vermin infestations, broken ventilation systems, and lack of heating during the sub-zero Swedish winters at their Benbau-issued housing, located a short distance from the worksite.
The agreement also gives workers the right to elect health and security representatives.
Upon hearing the news, Sunvisson said there was an atmosphere of joy and relief among the men. “No one is afraid anymore,” he said. The agreement also allows unions access to all data centre sites in the country where Benbau works.
In a five-month investigation with media partners in nine countries, Electrocutions, ‘mental terror’ and withheld wages: the exploited workers building Europe’s data centres, reporters revealed evidence of labour violations, poor working conditions and blocked union access at projects across the continent involving US tech giants.
The exposé detailed the significant role played by a number of Irish-owned contractors used by the likes of Microsoft and Google to build Europe’s sprawling new AI data centres.
Reporters interviewed workers and union representatives across Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands as part of the investigation.
At the Microsoft site in Gävle, Sweden, migrant construction workers for the Irish firm Benbau alleged they often worked up to 60 hour weeks, faced regular harassment, and had been forced to admit to workplace infractions they never committed.
“It now feels like we are in the army service,” one Romanian worker told Investigate Europe. “They [Benbau] rule on terror, mental terror.”
Following months of stalled negotiations with Benbau to obtain lost wages and stronger worker protections, the Solidariska byggare union reached an historic 15 million Swedish Krona (€1.3 million) collective agreement on Friday 23 October for its 78 members working on the project.
The agreement, which will take effect on 1 November, was reached days after Investigate Europe and partners sent requests for comment to Benbau detailing the alleged abuses.
“The new collective agreement is the first Swedish collective agreement written by and for migrant workers,” said Pelle Sunvisson, a union leader who led the talks.
While Sweden does not have a minimum wage, it is customary for companies to have collective agreements with unions when construction projects begin.
Construction firms on the Microsoft project in Gävle often do not have such agreements in place, leaving many migrant workers vulnerable to low wages, no overtime pay, and fewer workplace safeguards.
As part of the settlement, Solidariska byggare members will receive compensation for backpay and improved salaries. They will earn 260 Swedish Krona (€23.49) per hour, well above the national average.
Romanian workers there told Investigate Europe they had vermin infestations, broken ventilation systems, and lack of heating during the sub-zero Swedish winters at their Benbau-issued housing, located a short distance from the worksite.
The agreement also gives workers the right to elect health and security representatives.
Upon hearing the news, Sunvisson said there was an atmosphere of joy and relief among the men. “No one is afraid anymore,” he said. The agreement also allows unions access to all data centre sites in the country where Benbau works.
A worker studies the new collective agreement, which is the first of its kind in Sweden, October 2026.Credit: Solidariska byggare
A union representative presents the agreement to members.Credit: Solidariska byggare
James McCabe, a regional officer for Unite the Union in Ireland regularly visits data centre sites across Europe, and has been involved in a number of high-profile campaigns.
“This settlement shows it's absolutely necessary to hold these data centre contractors to account,” he said. “[Companies] will only stop bad behaviour and start treating workers fairly when someone forces their hands.
“Trade unions organising workers, building trust and getting them to see that they are far from powerless is key to rooting out labour crime and ensuring safe and decent worksites.”
Sunvisson added: “The building and running of data centres has become one of our biggest industries. It is in the public interest that they are scrutinised. Investigative journalism has never been more important.”
A Benbau spokesperson said the company “takes all concerns regarding the welfare, health and safety of our people extremely seriously” and has “stringent procedures for reporting, investigating and addressing workplace concerns”.
A Microsoft spokesperson said: “Microsoft is committed to ensuring that everyone working on its behalf is treated fairly, in line with Swedish labour law and our Supplier Code of Conduct. In our datacentre construction, we work with contractors and suppliers, with whom we set clear requirements on health and safety, working conditions, and the freedom of association and right to collective bargaining.”
Editor: Chris Matthews
The investigation was led by Investigate Europe, a cross-border team of investigative journalists. The story is published with media partners including Corriere della Sera, Die Zeit, Follow the Money, the Guardian, Le Monde, NRK, Snoop and Tech Policy Press.
“This settlement shows it's absolutely necessary to hold these data centre contractors to account,” he said. “[Companies] will only stop bad behaviour and start treating workers fairly when someone forces their hands.
“Trade unions organising workers, building trust and getting them to see that they are far from powerless is key to rooting out labour crime and ensuring safe and decent worksites.”
Sunvisson added: “The building and running of data centres has become one of our biggest industries. It is in the public interest that they are scrutinised. Investigative journalism has never been more important.”
A Benbau spokesperson said the company “takes all concerns regarding the welfare, health and safety of our people extremely seriously” and has “stringent procedures for reporting, investigating and addressing workplace concerns”.
A Microsoft spokesperson said: “Microsoft is committed to ensuring that everyone working on its behalf is treated fairly, in line with Swedish labour law and our Supplier Code of Conduct. In our datacentre construction, we work with contractors and suppliers, with whom we set clear requirements on health and safety, working conditions, and the freedom of association and right to collective bargaining.”
Editor: Chris Matthews
The investigation was led by Investigate Europe, a cross-border team of investigative journalists. The story is published with media partners including Corriere della Sera, Die Zeit, Follow the Money, the Guardian, Le Monde, NRK, Snoop and Tech Policy Press.
