If you’re reading this, you’re likely an employee at the Superfoods Café in Charlottenburg or someone concerned with working conditions there. We’re writing to share our experiences as former employees of Superfoods Berlin and to warn current or future workers about the difficulties we faced. We are three former baristas and kitchen staff now working with the union FAU in a legal dispute that has lasted over two years. Our time at Superfoods caused emotional and financial distress, and we strongly urge workers to consider our experience. In our view, Superfoods is not a safe or fair workplace.
All three of us are immigrants to Germany, facing significant costs tied to relocation. We started working at Superfoods because of its relatively high hourly wage — a tactic, we later realized, to lure in those in urgent need of income. Once employed, our wages were consistently paid late — up to a month. We had to repeatedly ask the manager when we would be paid, causing constant stress as rent and bills piled up. Sometimes, conditions were attached to receiving even these delayed payments — which is both illegal and exploitative.
Payslips were sent via WhatsApp screenshots, often mixed up and sent to the wrong people — violating German data protection laws. None of us received vacation pay. Our weekly schedules were given to us only one day in advance — also illegal. We were watched on backroom cameras, micromanaged, and constantly criticized. The working conditions were some of the worst we had ever faced. We felt dehumanized and exploited. Complaints were met with denial or aggression. Eventually, each of us was fired.
The worst abuse we faced was wage theft. Two of us had full-time 40-hour contracts, yet we weren’t given enough shifts to meet them. Despite repeated requests for more hours, we were denied and told to “improve our performance.” Under German law, if you have a fixed contract, the employer must pay the full hours — or legally modify the contract. This didn’t happen.
One of us contacted the union, and we tried to recover the unpaid wages through formal letters. The manager gave minimal responses and no money. We held three registered pickets at the café. Before the first, we reached a signed agreement with management — they promised to pay. Even then, Superfoods didn’t follow through. We were forced to take them to labour court, where our case is ongoing. In response, they portrayed us as irrational and difficult — but we are simply marginalized immigrant workers fighting for our legal rights.
While our legal case continues, we feel a strong responsibility to warn others. We believe Superfoods and its manager are a trap for workers. Unfortunately, our story is not unique — many immigrant workers in Germany face similar exploitation. We urge you to unionize, learn your rights, and stand up for them.
To all workers facing exploitation: you are not alone.
With solidarity,
Three former employees of Superfoods Café
Here you’ll find more information about your working rights: Resources — FAU Berlin