Addressing the plight of EU mobile workers living in substandard and exploitative conditions, Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen outlines measures aimed at improving enforcement and cooperation across borders. The focus falls on protecting vulnerable workers from illegal housing schemes and labour abuses, sparking reactions from national authorities, workers' unions, and companies in sectors like meat processing.
This response answers a parliamentary question submitted by Kathleen Van Brempt and Mohammed Chahim, both of the S&D group, spotlighting an acute case in the Belgian-Dutch border region where Latvian workers were housed in poor conditions to circumvent regulations.
While the answer does not introduce new legislative proposals or numerical targets, it references existing EU legislation such as Directive (EU) 2018/957 and Regulation (EU) No 492/2011 on free movement and rights of workers, as well as the European Affordable Housing Plan. The text underlines ongoing initiatives like the cooperation between German, Dutch, and Belgian authorities aided by the European Labour Authority and funding for cross-border centres combating organised crime linked to labour migration.
Policy-wise, the emphasis is on enhancing law enforcement through improved cross-border cooperation rather than expanding EU-level regulatory powers or introducing minimum housing standards specifically for mobile workers. The approach leans towards enforcing current labour laws more strictly while using existing tools to address irregularities.
Stakeholders directly affected include EU mobile workers vulnerable to exploitative housing and employer practices, national labour and housing authorities responsible for inspections and enforcement, companies in sectors with mobile labour such as meat processing (who may face stricter oversight), and EU bodies like the European Labour Authority and cross-border expertise centres receiving funding. Workers may benefit from better protection and rights enforcement, but businesses might face increased compliance burdens. National authorities have a strengthened role but also additional cooperation duties.
The Commission’s answer signals ongoing engagement and coordination within existing frameworks, setting expectations for continued monitoring and potential follow-up actions as details and results of cooperation emerge in the coming months.