An Ostarbeiter's
Employment Identification Document
This is an Arbeitsbuch Für Auslãnder (Workbook for Foreigners), an employment identification document for a foreign worker. Shown above is the front cover.
Here is the back cover with the bearer's signature.
Of medium size - 4 3/4" x 5 3/4" (105mm x 150mm) closed - the document's cover was card stock.
The text was pre-printed and filled in by the employer and issuing agency.
The document was retained by the employer until the worker was released or transferred.
All workers in Hitler's Germany had employment identification documents similar to these. The difference in the contents of the Ausländer (foreigner) book was that page 2 contained a photograph of the worker, while no photo was required in the domestic booklet.
Opening the document again shows the State insignia and document title.
The message on the inside cover is from Fritz Sauckel, Hitler's General Plenipotentiary for Labor Utilization.
P R E F A C E Like the Germans, both white-collar and blue-collar foreign workers are, through their employment in the Greater German Reich, serving the rebuilding of Europe and the struggle for the essential prerequisites for a happy future and for the welfare of the peoples in the European living space. The foreign worker must always be conscious of this duty and this distinction. His utilization, his work achievement, and his attitude are based on this idea. THE GENERAL PLENIPOTENTIARY FOR LABOR UTILIZATION |
NOTE: At the Nuremberg War Crimes Trial, Sauckel was found guilty on two counts: War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity. He was hanged on October 16, 1946.
WORKBOOK
FOR FOREIGNERS
(Ordinance of May 1, 1943)
The woman's name is Tanja Hudenko
(It appears to be a Germanized spelling of her name on this page - the signature is in Cyrillic as she was from Ukraine).
Her photo, with issuing agency's stamps. Note that she is wearing the OST patch. She was required to wear this always.
I do not know the significance of the 602 tag.
1 |
Country of Origin: |
Occupied Eastern Territory |
2 |
Date of Birth: |
14 January 1922 |
3 |
Place of Birth: |
Makarowka |
District: |
Jwamwskij |
|
4 |
a) Citizenship: |
Undeclared - Eastern Worker |
b) Nationality: |
(blank) |
|
5 |
a) Marital Status: |
Single |
b) Number of Minor Children |
(blank) |
6 | Knowledge of German | Yes |
7 | Home Address | Makarowka
District: Jwamwskij Region: Kiev |
9 | Place of residence during the work activity | Widand Post Ebersbach |
Occupational Training |
d | Agricultural or Industrial Knowledge | A few years in agriculture |
Nature of Prior Employment |
Agricultural laborer |
from 1937 |
to 1942 |
Occupational Group 1 Occupational Type A2c |
Issued on: 11 November 11 1943 LABOR EXCHANGE KEMPTEN BY ORDER Meyer (SIGNATURE) |
1 Name and Location of the Activity |
2 Nature of the Activity |
3 a) Employment Start Date b) Employment Approved Until |
Karl Buhler Widand Post Ebersbach |
Farming |
a) 15 May 1942 b) Revoked by the Labor Exchange |
4 Nature of the Employment (as precisely as possible) |
5 a) Employment End Date b) Certification of the Labor Exchange |
6 Signature of the Employer |
Agricultural Laborer |
a) February 28, 1945 b) (blank) |
Karl Buhler Widands Post Ebersbach |
The following paper insert was included in the book:
Notice In case the work relationship is terminated, the work book, following completion of the formalities on page 10 therein, is to be sent in to the Labor Exchange. The book is not to be handed out to the foreigner until the receipt of further instructions. |
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