Action needed to improve rights for contract workers

URGENT action is needed by governments to improve working conditions for one million short-term contract workers working in another EU member state, the European Commission has said.

They announced measures to improve the situation for these workers as the European Court ruled that they could be paid less than half the rate for local workers.

Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa welcomed the Commission’s call yesterday but warned that so-called posted workers rights are not as protected under Irish legislation as they should be nor was the trade union right to strike in support of them and said the Government should review this.

The commission has admitted there is a danger of social dumping as employers and contractors fail to declare work across borders and to treat workers fairly.

Employment Commissioner, Vladimir Spidla, said member states must increase cooperation and allow their labour inspectorates to do their jobs more effectively. “It is up to Member States to improve the implementation of the posting of workers directive,” he said.