Opposing worlds

Long-term unemployed meets workaholic

Dominik Hansabut (left) always has his tablet with him to study. He describes the hurdles in his life to Lech O. (62).(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Dominik Hansabut, Zwefo)

An electrician has been unemployed for six years. The 62-year-old is described by an AMS counselor as a "freeloader", but he didn't choose his fate himself, he wants to work but doesn't get a chance. The life of Dominik Hansabut, who can no longer find peace, shows a completely different reality.

"Krone": Mr. O., you have been unemployed for six years. How did that come about?
Lech O.: My background is complicated. I come from Poland, where I trained as an electrician. Then perestroika came in the 90s and I was made redundant. Shortly afterwards, I saw a TV program about Polish citizens abroad and how well off they were. I also dreamed of a better life, so I took the first train to the West, which went to Lille. It was difficult to find work in France, so I moved on to Germany. In Hamburg, I finally found a good job at Holiday on Ice.