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Markdown edition

# Data-center workers report injuries and poor conditions

> Injury plus housing and pay allegations.

By BIGCHANGE.AI Editorial

Published: 2026-11-02T16:22:38.549Z
Updated: 2026-11-02T16:22:38.549Z
Canonical: https://bigchange.ai/blog/europe-data-center-construction-workers-investigation

![Conceptual illustration of a data-centre building beside a steel-framed extension under construction.](https://bigchange.ai/api/media/file/alphabet-cloud-construction-hero-v1.png)
AI-generated conceptual illustration by BIG CHANGE.

A European data-center investigation reports injuries and allegations of poor working conditions.

## The big change

- The investigation draws on worker accounts and records from projects serving technology companies, bringing workplace conditions into focus as cloud and AI infrastructure expands.
- Construction can involve several layers of subcontractors, separating the client commissioning a project from the employer responsible for a worker’s contract.
- A Swedish collective agreement covers pay and leave at one contractor, showing a negotiated change for its employees rather than a settlement of every concern across the industry.

## Injury and response in Belgium

[Investigate Europe and partners](https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/electrocutions-mental-terror-and-withheld-wages-the-exploited-workers-building-europes-data-centres) reported October 30 that an electrical tester suffered serious burns at Google’s Saint-Ghislain site. He described pressure to finish work. Belgium’s labor inspectorate found no wrongdoing in the accident, reporters said.

Google cited supplier safety and labor rules. Dornan said it supported the investigation and recovery. Employer Wanted called the reporters’ claims incorrect.

## A separate agreement in Sweden

In [2021 reporting](https://www.byggnadsarbetaren.se/arbetarna-overvakas-och-tystas-pa-techjatten-facket-star-bakbundet/), Swedish construction newspaper Byggnadsarbetaren described multiple subcontracting tiers at Microsoft’s Gävle-area projects and union difficulty obtaining a full picture of contractors. Its account illustrates why identifying a client, a site manager and a worker’s employer answers different questions; it does not establish conditions at every site today.

[Arbetaren](https://www.arbetaren.se/2026/10/30/syndikalistiska-byggshyarbetare-rostade-ja-till-historiskt-avtal-pa-microsoft-bygget/) reported that Solidariska byggare members approved an agreement with Benbau at Microsoft data-center construction in Gävle. It includes higher pay and a time bank for longer leave at home. The newspaper said about 200 employees are covered, and reported a separate settlement for back pay and damages.

Workers alleged rats in employer housing and unpaid overtime, Investigate Europe reported. Benbau said it takes welfare and safety seriously but did not address specific allegations. Microsoft said its contractors must meet standards on safety, working conditions and collective bargaining.

BIG CHANGE previously covered a [separate environmental dispute involving Google data-center preparations in Finland](https://bigchange.ai/blog/finland-google-data-centers-environmental-preparations).

## Sources & further reading

- [Investigate Europe joint investigation](https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/electrocutions-mental-terror-and-withheld-wages-the-exploited-workers-building-europes-data-centres) — Worker accounts, records and responses.
- [Arbetaren on the agreement](https://www.arbetaren.se/2026/10/30/syndikalistiska-byggshyarbetare-rostade-ja-till-historiskt-avtal-pa-microsoft-bygget/) — Swedish collective-bargaining context.
- [Byggnadsarbetaren’s 2021 reporting](https://www.byggnadsarbetaren.se/arbetarna-overvakas-och-tystas-pa-techjatten-facket-star-bakbundet/) — Earlier contractor-chain reporting.

## Sources

- [Investigate Europe joint investigation](https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/electrocutions-mental-terror-and-withheld-wages-the-exploited-workers-building-europes-data-centres) — Worker accounts, records and responses.
- [Arbetaren on the agreement](https://www.arbetaren.se/2026/10/30/syndikalistiska-byggshyarbetare-rostade-ja-till-historiskt-avtal-pa-microsoft-bygget/) — Swedish collective-bargaining context.
- [Byggnadsarbetaren’s 2021 reporting](https://www.byggnadsarbetaren.se/arbetarna-overvakas-och-tystas-pa-techjatten-facket-star-bakbundet/) — Earlier contractor-chain reporting.