Fact Vs Fiction: Schindler's List
3. FICTION: Schindler Only Employed Jewish Labourers
During the early parts of the movie, Schindler discusses employee rates with his accountant, Itzhak Stern. Stern informs Schindler that Polish workers cost considerably more money than the Jews. A typical Jewish labourer would work for a daily rate of seven reichsmarks, all of which would be sent directly to the Nazis.
Initially, Schindler is driven only by profit. He responds that if the Jews were cheaper, it wouldn’t make any financial sense to employ any Poles. This highlights Schindler’s early immoral attitude, as well as sets up his change in motivation as the film progresses. However, at that time, Schindler didn’t exclusively employ Jews.
Throughout his time managing the German Enamel Factory, Schindler employed over 1,700 workers. Over 1,000 of them were the Jews he had helped save by the end of the war, but the others were local Polish workers. Initially, having a majority Jewish staff body worked in favour of his profiteering.
However, as time went on, Schindler became more aware of the atrocities being carried out against his workers. He opted for more Jewish staff under the pretences of a higher profit margin but wanted to assist the Jewish community against the Third Reich.