More than 700 workers united today in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, to call upon the EU institutions to take urgent action to stop exploitation in subcontracting chains and labour intermediation. Hundreds of transport workers participated with their unions, coming from all over Europe to send a clear message to the newly appointed EU Commission.
The European action organised by ETF (European Transport Workers’ Federation), EFBWW (European Federation of Building and Woodworkers), and EFFAT (the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions), joining forces to demand an EU-binding initiative to limit subcontracting and regulate labour intermediation, including a ban of agencies in posting, and to bolster the frequency and effectiveness of labour inspections.
Following the demonstration, a hearing took place inside the European Parliament. The event focused on harsh testimonies from workers affected by exploitative subcontracting practices and unscrupulous intermediaries, where they could describe freely what workers go through when there are no limits to exploitation in supply chains. Unions were also joined by MEPs from the S&D, the Left, Renew, and Greens/EFA.
ETF General Secretary, Livia Spera said: “Subcontracting takes different forms in transport, with similar patterns observed across Europe. Today, subcontracted workers are often second-class citizens with lower working conditions and rights. We are asking EU rules to regulate subcontracting to reestablish fairness.”
EFBWW General Secretary, Tom Deleu said: “On the day in which the president of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, unveils the portfolios of the new commissioners, workers from all over Europe gathered to put workers’ rights at the top of the European agenda. The EU cannot ignore what is happening with posted, migrant and third country nationals. In construction, we witness high levels of exploitation, fraud, and other labour abuses, especially in a cross-border context. Subcontracting is always a major risk factor. We need to break the chain of exploitation. The new European Commission and the new European Parliament must act urgently, limit subcontracting and ban intermediaries in posting.”
EFFAT General Secretary, Kristjan Bragason said: “Abusive subcontracting practices and unregulated labour intermediation are two structural issues of an exploitative business model which is increasingly dominating many sectors of the economy. Migrant and mobile workers are the main victims. Today a strong message goes to the EU institutions. It is time for urgent EU action to ensure real equal treatment at the workplace.”
About the European Trade Unions Federations:
EFBWW | The European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) is the European Workers’ Industry Federation for the building sector, woodworking, forestry and allied industries and trades. The EFBWW has 80 affiliated unions in 36 countries and represents a total of 1.5 million members. The EFBWW is a member organisation of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
EFFAT | EFFAT is the European Federation of Food, Agriculture, and Tourism Trade Unions, also representing domestic workers. As a European Trade Union Federation representing 116 national trade unions from 37 European countries, EFFAT has 2.6 million members and defends the interests of more than 25 million workers towards the European Institutions, European employers’ associations, and transnational companies. EFFAT is a member of the ETUC and the European regional organisation of the IUF.
ETF | The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) is a pan-European trade union organisation which embraces transport trade unions from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Central and Eastern European countries. The ETF was created in 1999, but we have our roots in pan-European transport trade union organisations that stretch back over 60 years. Today, the ETF represents more than 5 million transport workers from more than 200 transport unions and 38 European countries. These workers are found in all parts of the transport industry, on land, sea, and in the air. ETF is a recognised EU-level social partner in 7 sectoral social dialogue committees, including inland waterways. We are also a proud member of the ETUC and the ITF family.