Member states back S&D’s demand for equal pay for equal work
Date
11 Apr 2018
Sections
Social Europe & Jobs
The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament welcome today’s approval of new rules for posted workers by member states. The introduction of equal pay for equal work at the same place for workers temporarily posted in other EU countries is essential to ensure fair conditions and fair competition for all workers and companies in the EU. The Socialists and Democrats led the fight to revise the Posting of Workers Directive to better protect posted workers from day one.
European Parliament negotiator on the Posting of Workers Directive and S&D spokesperson for employment, Agnes Jongerius, said:
“Today is a good day for workers all over Europe. Now that member states have backed our proposal to introduce equal pay for equal work at the same place, co-workers can be colleagues again, instead of competitors. I am proud that the Socialists and Democrats won this important victory for all European workers.
“Too many of the two million posted workers are paid lower salaries and enjoy less protection than the local workforce; some of them live and work under shocking conditions. With the new rules, we want to end abuse and ensure that posted workers are protected from day one, as well as stop the race to the bottom on salaries and working conditions. This is important to guarantee fair conditions and fair competition for all workers and companies in the EU.”
Key points of the new Directive:
Posted workers are entitled to the same pay as the local workforce from day 1. Namely:
- Wages according to collective bargaining agreements
- Allowances such as a thirteenth salary, cold weather payments and other benefits
- The reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs, on top of the salary
- Change from home, to host labour law after 12 months with a possible extension of 6 months, instead of after 24 months as proposed by the Commission
Note to the editor:
The new rules still need to be confirmed in a vote in the employment committee and in the plenary of the European Parliament. Today there are 2.05 million posted workers in the EU. 42% of posted workers work in the construction sector, 21.8% in the manufacturing sector and 13.5% in social services. The average duration of a posting is four months. Posting increased by 41.3% between 2010 and 2015.