The European Parliament has agreed to the proposal that workers temporarily working in another EU country should earn the same as their foreign colleagues. Even allowances for transport or board and lodging should no longer be deducted from wages. Eastern European countries in particular oppose the equalisation of wages.
The measure should counter unfair competition and exploitation of 'cheap' workers. Truck drivers from countries such as Poland and Hungary posted to Germany for a longer period should receive the same pay as their German colleagues.MEP and committee rapporteur Agenes Jongerius (Labour Party) spoke of an "important turning point in the fight for a fair labour market". "It is a victory for all workers and all compliant companies. We will stop the race to the bottom in the European labour market."
Meanwhile, a coalition of eastern European countries fears that employers from richer countries will stop hiring staff from their countries if competition on price is eliminated.
'Bill does not bode well'
SP MEP Dennis de Jong, however, thinks there are still plenty of opportunities for companies to escape the new bill. Only after posting for two years would equal pay have to be paid, while the average posting is four months, according to De Jong. "For me, equal pay for equal work should take effect as soon as possible, preferably from day one of the posting, but at least after a few months and not only after two years. Now, social security and pensions continue to apply for two years according to the conditions of the seconded person's country of origin. That is precisely where the big differences arise, because a Romanian has a much lower pension, and much less premium is paid for it than is usual in the Netherlands. I am very disappointed that this has not even really been discussed in the European Parliament."
Moreover, there would be a possibility of separate rules for truck drivers. "That does not bode well," De Jong said.
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