Boosting protection for workers posted abroad within the EU 

Press Releases 
 
 

A new legislative proposal to boost protection for workers posted abroad was debated by Employment and Social Affairs Committee MEPs and external experts on Tuesday afternoon.

"This hearing confirmed comments that the European Commission proposal may make it more difficult for the European companies to post workers within the internal market. MEPs should have the ambition to come up with a text that removes the legal uncertainties and improves the protection of posted workers, without impeding the free provision of services. A text that could spur the sense of responsibility of companies, workers and social partners", said rapporteur Danuta Jazlowiecka (EPP, PL).


"The abuses suffered by Polish employees at construction sites like Flamanville in France illustrate how crucial it is to ensure stronger protection of posted workers in EU legislation. In this regard, the implementing directive appears to be a unique opportunity to combat social dumping in Europe", declared Employment and Social Affairs Committee Chair Pervenche Berès (S&D, FR).


Background


The EU single market gives companies the freedom to supply services in other member states, including temporarily posting workers abroad to carry out specific projects.


To facilitate the posting of workers, the 1996 legislation defines a core set of employment conditions which the service provider must comply with in the host member state. The new proposal aims to improve the implementation of the 1996 legislation in practice.


According to the European Commission, around one million workers (0.4% of the EU workforce) are posted across the EU's internal borders each year to provide services. The biggest "sending" countries are Poland, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Portugal.