Interpellation on discrimination against lorry drivers in Austria and violation of principles of the single market by Austria
27.1.2017
Question for written answer E-000478-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Ivan Štefanec (PPE)
The amendments introduced to the Austrian law on the minimum wage on 1 January 2017 impose an obligation on lorry drivers employed in other Member States and passing through Austria to provide evidence that they are being paid a wage equivalent to the Austrian minimum wage while they are passing through the country.
If the driver is unable to provide those documents, he risks incurring a fine of EUR 500 to EUR 5 000. In my opinion, this is a violation of the principles of the free movement of workers enshrined in Article 45 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Could the Commission say:
- —Whether it was aware of the law being drafted in Austria?
- —Whether Austria’s conduct is in accordance with the TFEU?
- —Whether it will take appropriate steps in regard to Austria similar to those taken in similar cases against other countries?