International

SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong describes himself as ‘delighted’ by assurances from European Commissioner László Andor that he is seeking to ban wage dumping by postbox companies. De Jong: 'Lorry drivers, for example, are experiencing this problem. A plc is established in another member state in order to dodge the Netherlands’ CAO, our collective labour agreement, which under normal circumstances governs wages and conditions in the haulage industry. These drivers must then work under eastern European conditions of service or be driven out by cheap labour. I’m pleased that a stop will be soon be put to this.’

The Commissioner’s assurance came during a debate on the rights of workers in a Europe with open borders. In the debate, De Jong drew attention specifically to this abuse. Commissioner Andor said in response that the Posting of Workers Directive should soon be enforced in such cases. From now on, a ‘real economic activity’ must be taking place for a place of establishment to be made use of.

'I get very many emails from lorry drivers drawing attention to these abuses but who can do nothing about them. I can now at last reply to them with good news from Europe,’ says De Jong, who will be sure to keep an eye on whether the Commission’s undertaking will be more clearly reflected in the legislation than is the case in the existing Commission proposal.