Labor organization reaches settlement with Dönerfabrik Birtat on joint contract terms
The döner kebab industry in Germany has reached a significant turning point with the first union-backed wage agreement at Birtat, a major subsidiary of Meat World SE. This historic agreement, which ended a wage conflict involving approximately 120 workers at the Birtat factory in Murr, southwest Germany, was reached in August 2025 [1][5].
The workers, who are involved in preparing meat in cold conditions, felt underpaid and demanded improved salaries and a company-wide collective pay agreement [2]. Prior to the agreement, entry-level wages were significantly lower, but the union pushed for raising the starting salary to 2,600 euros per month, with further raises planned by the end of 2026 [1].
The dispute led to multiple strikes and walkouts, causing concerns about potential supply disruptions and price increases for döner kebabs, a popular street food in Germany. The conflict occurred within the context of döner’s cultural importance in the country, where the sandwich, introduced by Turkish immigrants in the 1970s, has become a staple food enjoyed widely beyond the Turkish community [1][3][4].
The agreement at Birtat is considered a landmark event as it formalizes labor standards in an industry that had lacked unionized agreements until then. The union, Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten (NGG), sees this as the start of improved labor relations in the kebab meat sector, while Meat World SE described the deal as a vital recognition of workers’ contributions [1].
The frozen skewers prepared at Birtat are now delivered to various locations, having been shock-frozen at the factory near Ludwigsburg, Murr [1]. This development is significant given the döner’s importance in Germany and the previous absence of standardized pay agreements in the sector. The agreement at Birtat sets a precedent for future industry labor contracts, ensuring fairer wages and improved working conditions for the workers involved in the production process.
[1] https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/streik-bei-der-donaer-kebab-fabrik-birtat-a-1294832.html [2] https://www.focus.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/birtat-streik-donaer-kebab-fabrik-arbeitsbedingungen-gefordert_aid_14457568.html [3] https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-donaer-kebab-a-taste-of-multiculturalism/a-53933489 [4] https://www.zeit.de/2021/09/donaer-kebab-kulturgeschichte-deutschland [5] https://www.nachrichten.de/wirtschaft/streik-bei-birtat-donaer-kebab-fabrik-gegen-arbeitsbedingungen-100.html
The union's efforts in the döner kebab industry have extended beyond Germany, as they seek to establish similar collective pay agreements in the manufacturing sector, influencing industry-wide finance and business practices. With the success at Birtat, other factories may follow suit, ensuring workers receive fairer compensation and better working conditions.
This historic agreement between the union and Meat World SE is expected to have a ripple effect in the döner kebab industry, potentially impacting the cost of raw materials, sales, and overall business operations within the finance sector. The increased wages could potentially lead to increased production costs, which might be passed onto consumers, affecting the affordability and accessibility of the popular street food.
