Machine workers and movement in the Member States
19.5.2020
Question for written answer E-003063/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Isabella Tovaglieri (ID), Marco Campomenosi (ID)
The current COVID-19 pandemic has imposed numerous restrictions on internal movement, with a consequent impact on all the cross-border production chains that have developed over the years.
In Italy, we are having problems, amongst others, relating to companies and workers involved in the installation of machinery, maintenance and assistance.
These workers, who do not fall into any of the categories included in the Commission communication on the free movement of workers during the pandemic, normally travel to other Member States for the above-mentioned work and are being severely restricted from operating across national borders, to the extent that they are being prevented from doing virtually any work at all.
They are, indeed, obliged to move around frequently and have to stay abroad for short periods of time. They are being severely restricted in that they are having to comply with periods of confinement both when they return to their own country and, subsequently, when they go to another country which also applies such measures.
Can the Commission therefore say:
- 1.whether it intends to take specific measures, together with the Member States, to protect these companies and enable their workers to operate in the Union without being subject to restrictions and confinement;
- 2.whether it does not agree that such restrictions distort competition in the internal market between major manufacturing companies established in different Member States?