Posting of workers: Don’t divide EU - fight illegal practices

Today the European Commission has decided to maintain unchanged its proposal from 8 March 2016 to revise the EU posting of workers directive, which is in force since 1996. The European Commission has dismissed the concerns of national parliaments in more than one third of the EU Member States. They had urged the European Commission not to revise the 1996 posting of workers directive (“yellow card” procedure).

Markus J. Beyrer, Director General of BusinessEurope said:

“We regret the Commission’s decision, which doesn’t take into account the legitimate political concerns voiced by many national parliaments. Despite the warning, the Commission decided to maintain another divisive debate among EU Member States on posting of workers. We must focus on fighting illegal practices and abuses and use the existing rules for it - rather than adding uncertainty, bureaucracy and costs.”

Background:

BusinessEurope believes that the 1996 posting of workers directive, together with the additional 2014 EU enforcement directive, provide the necessary framework to ensure the free provision of services across the EU while protecting posted workers. The revision of the directive will bring uncertainty and more costs and administrative burdens for businesses operating lawfully across Europe. Instead, what is needed is to strengthen the single market for services.