EU action to prevent workers from being exploited

9.7.2013

Question for written answer E-008173-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Paweł Robert Kowal (ECR)

Last week a report on modern-day slavery screened by the German broadcaster ARD showed how the owners of a slaughterhouse in western Germany had developed a highly effective system for exploiting workers — in this instance, migrants from Central Europe, in particular Poland and Romania. This is far from the first time this has happened in the meat sector. Practices of this kind are thought to have resulted in the loss of 20% of permanent jobs in Germany and to be costing the government millions of dollars.

1. This system was made possible by the use of ‘fly-by-night’ firms. Are there any plans to bring in rules prohibiting the setting up of such firms?

2. What steps are the EU institutions taking, or do they intend to take, to ensure that proper checks are made on employers and the status of foreign workers and that the employment rights of those workers are upheld?

OJ C 65 E, 05/03/2014