“We still have a lot to sort out”. An interview with Holger Schlageter, author of “Unter deutschen Betten. Eine polnische Putzfrau packt aus” (“Beneath German beds. A Polish cleaning lady reveals all”)
PP: How much of the material in the book did you make up yourself?
HS: Perhaps 30 percent. Often, though, these aren’t things that I’ve completely come up with in my head; rather, it’s material that I was given that I edited to make it a better read. The prologue is purely a product of my imagination, though. It’s a strong kick-start to the book.
PP: The book was a major success. A follow-up was published a year later.
HS: Yes, “Nicht ganz sauber. Eine polnische Putzfrau räumt auf.” (“Not squeaky clean. The honest story of a Polish cleaning lady.”) And in 2017, the film version of “Unter deutschen Betten” came out in the cinemas. “Justyna” was played by Magdalena Boczarska, alongside Veronica Ferres and Heiner Lauterbach in the other main roles. I had the opportunity to work as an advisor during the filming, which was a new and exciting experience. And in retrospect, I’m glad that the book topped the bestseller list in Poland as well as in Germany. It also sold well in other European countries. I’m grateful to have had this experience.
PP: Did the books generate debate about the issue of foreign workers in the low-wage sector?
HS: Yes, they did. “Justyna” in particular was an important driver in the debate surrounding the minimum wage at the time.And in Poland, people began talking about the Ukrainian cleaning ladies who worked under very similar conditions there. Incidentally, my main source of material appeared as “Justyna” on talk shows in Germany and particularly in Poland, wearing a wig and sunglasses, and helped attract more attention to the issue.
PP: What do you think about the way in which Polish cleaning ladies are treated in Germany today?
HS: First of all, the situation in Poland has improved. Now that it is in the EU, Poland offers far better opportunities and people there are much more aware of their self-worth. Nowadays, cleaning ladies working in Germany often come from other countries. Unfortunately, far too many of them are not covered by the official employment regulations; the majority still work on the black market. And that means that in practice, they have no legal protection. There are people working in other areas, too, who are far too often overlooked, such as delivery couriers or all the care work provided by people from other countries. Unfortunately, we need to keep reminding ourselves that there’s quite a lot that needs to be improved. I’m an optimist, and prefer to focus on what is possible rather than on the obstacles to progress. Even so, I also think that we still have a lot to sort out.
PP: Are you already working on a new book?
HS: To be honest, after ten books in ten years, I don’t feel that I have much more to say. Most of all, as CEO of my Schlageter Institute, I already have more than enough work on my plate. Having said that, if I come across a subject that provokes the same strong response in me as “Justyna”, I’m sure I won’t say no.
Anselm Neft interviewed Holger Schlageter for Porta Polonica in January 2025.
