Problems encountered by Polish citizens working in the Netherlands

5.9.2013

Question for written answer E-009936-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Paweł Robert Kowal (ECR)

The right to work and live in the EU is one of the fundamental rights granted to the citizens of each of the 28 Member States. The right of EU citizens to move to another Member State, inter alia for work purposes, is enshrined in Article 45 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and means in particular that discrimination on the grounds of nationality is prohibited in the context of employment and salaries.

On 1 May 2007 the work permit requirement was abolished for Polish citizens wishing to work in the Netherlands, which has always enjoyed a reputation as an open and tolerant country. Yet the Polish citizens living there continue to experience discrimination-related problems; for example, the Dutch Freedom Party recently called for more stringent policies on social benefits for unemployed immigrants.

What measures does the Commission intend to take to guarantee a more effective and uniform application of EU legislation on the free movement of workers in all of the Member States?

OJ C 179, 12/06/2014