Social dumping within the EU at the expense of workers

17.6.2013

Question for written answer E-007056-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Frédéric Daerden (S&D)

In my Written Question P-003479/2013, I placed particular emphasis on the need for the Commission to be equipped with the resources required to put an end to social dumping and to penalise deplorable working conditions and unfair wages for workers posted within the EU.

In its reply, the Commission gives no clear indication of what preventive or punitive measures it would take in cases involving the proven exploitation of workers.

What is more, when the Commission says its proposal ‘should ensure that posted workers are paid for the work they do’ and should aim to ‘stop unfair wage competition’, it gives no indication as to how this might be done.

Could the Commission therefore explain, in detail and without resorting to the usual tired mantras, and setting aside its proposal for a directive (COM(2012) 131 final) on the implementation of Directive 96/71/EC, which is currently under consideration, what investigative measures it will take and what penalties it will impose in order to put a swift end to these unfair practices?

OJ C 81 E, 20/03/2014