Breakthrough in EU legislation on posting of workers

“Today, after 18 months of intensive negotiations, we have set up a common position on the posting of workers with clear rights for the more than 2 million posted workers on our continent”, said Elisabeth Morin-Chartier MEP, co-rapporteur, following the adoption in the Employment Committee this evening of the amendments for the revision of the Posting of Workers Directive.

The amendments, which revise the 1996 Directive, propose, among others, setting up a 24-month limit for posting missions with the possibility of prolongation, and establishing that posted workers should benefit from the same rules on remuneration as workers in the host Member State, including bonuses like, for example, dirty work allowance. They also make clear that other fees related to accommodation or transport cannot be deducted from the remuneration.

“I am very happy that the EPP Group ensured its strong voice in the negotiations of this crucial legislation. Once again, the European Parliament has fulfilled its duty by overcoming national divisions in order to achieve common solutions, beneficial for both workers and companies”, said David Casa MEP, EPP Group Spokesman in the Employment Committee.

Moreover, the document approved today contains provisions for better cooperation between Member States and emphasises the transparency of labour law rules, especially through the use of the already-existing platform to fight against undeclared work as a new tool to enhance exchanges between national competent authorities.

“For the EPP Group, the clarity of information for both employers and employees is key. Therefore, today we adopted the obligation for Member States to display the rights of the host country in a transparent manner on a single national website”, said Morin-Chartier and Casa.

“Now it is time for the Council to move forward and reach an agreement so we can reform the rules on the posting of workers in the EU and take one step forward towards a social Europe”, concluded Elisabeth Morin-Chartier.

These amendments will now be negotiated with EU Employment Ministers. The next Employment and Social Policy Council (EPSCO) will be held on October 23.