On the construction site, as in life, you have to do your best and be willing to learn
Grigore Ilari makes a living far from home, working in construction. By trade, he is a carpenter, but for some time now he has specialized in “cosmetics repairs” on the construction site. He is one of over 700,000 Romanian workers employed in construction abroad (1). His story is representative of all these people, yet unique, just like every individual life can be.
Mr. Ilari is 48 years old and has been part of the RCBB Gruppe team since the company’s early days. Over the years, he has worked on several of our construction sites in Germany. At home, his wife and two daughters—one in high school and one in graduate school—are waiting for him. He sees them during holidays and vacations, a common reality for many Romanian workers. However, he talks to them daily. The internet and technology help them stay connected, even from afar.
Life in Germany
Grigore Ilari started working in construction right after high school. After nearly 20 years in the industry in Romania, 11 of which were spent at the same company, he decided to try his luck in Germany. “I’ve been working abroad since 2014,” he recalls, remembering his departure as if it were yesterday. “The company I was working for needed people in Germany. One day, the site engineer came to me and asked if I wanted to go. I had two days to pack my bags.“
In the meantime, he learned to speak German well enough to manage daily life, especially on the job site with representatives from partner companies: “I am appreciated and respected. Just as I am valued by RCBB, I am also respected by the German side. They like that I understand what they say, so I know what I need to do. They are plased,” says Mr. Ilari.
“This matters a lot. The quality of collaboration with the German company, the Romanian company, and with family is crucial. After all, we are all here for our families, for our children.”
Cosmetic repair technicians: The final touch on the construction site
Every profession is important in the equation of the construction site. Cosmetic repair technicians are the unseen workers. Their job begins after others have finished. They are the ones who correct any mistakes and ensure that the work meets the quality standards. Often, they are the last part of the team to leave the construction site before handing it over to the client.
Mr. Ilari explains: “Basically, we do all the repairs where mistakes have occurred. We cut, break, grind, and ‘cosmetize’ to make sure it meets the German company’s standards. We leave the work as it should have been done from the start, but for various reasons, that didn’t happen.“
Every day brings new challenges, but Mr. Ilari and his colleagues manage to meet the clients’ expectations. Relationships with coworkers and site managers are essential for the smooth running of operations, and mutual respect is a key factor in this profession.
Respect and appreciation: The engines of professional satisfaction
Working in construction is not easy, but it can be rewarding and fulfilling. Mr. Ilari finds satisfaction in the respect he earns through his work and in the financial security he provides for his family. “Appreciation motivates me. Whether I work as a cosmetician or as a carpenter, I am glad to be appreciated by colleagues, supervisors, and German coworkers, regardless of whom I work with.“
“I feel fulfilled when I see that I am doing a good job and especially when I manage to help a colleague, even when they might not want assistance. I’ve guided colleagues, even in cosmetic repair. I learned from others as well. Plus, on the job site, when help is needed—whether in cosmetic repairs or anything else—if I can help, I do,” says Mr. Ilari.
On the other hand, he finds that the most challenging aspect of his job is not breaking or repairing things, but working alongside people who can be “a bit scattered with life,” he notes: “Even though they may work hard on the site, sometimes they forget about camaraderie and respect for colleagues and supervisors. They need to be brought back to reality and reminded of what the construction site and work are all about.”
When asked to elaborate, Mr. Ilari adds: “At the end of the day, it’s all about respect and doing your best. I don’t know where this idea was implanted in my mind—perhaps from my grandparents, my parents, or from my work and life experiences. You have to give it your all and be open to learning more, not just on the construction site, but anywhere.“
Not everyone is willing to learn. Some people say: let’s just get through it, let’s just do the same thing. Even if in construction you sometimes do repetitive work, it shouldn’t be done robotically. If we can modernize and make work easier, isn’t it a shame not to do so?“
The challenges of working far from home
Being away from home and family is tough for anyone. “At first, it was harder for both me and my wife, who stayed home to take care of the girls. Over time, we adapted. What can we do? We have to adjust to the environment, the situation in our country, the salaries there, the needs.“
About 3.7 million Romanians work abroad in various fields, according to official data. Unofficial estimates speak of 5 million souls (2). The majority left for similar reasons. Many have families back home—wives, children, parents—to whom they send money monthly.
From afar, Mr. Ilari thinks of his daughters: “My advice for them is, first of all, to never forget where they came from, to never forget their country, to never forget their parents, and especially to never forget their faith in God. For me, faith in God has always been very important.“
Notes:
- Data from a study conducted in 2023 by the Federation of Employers in the Construction Industry of Romania.
- HotNews.ro, December 2023
On the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the founding of RCBB Gruppe, we look at the professionals who are part of our team, talking about some of the vital trades for the existence of a construction site. This interview is the third in a series of six materials that we will publish in the following weeks.