Plenaire vergadering Europees Economisch en Sociaal Comité over werkgelegenheid en arbeidsmigranten in landbouw (en)

EESC Plenary to address agricultural employment and the burning issue of migrant workers

During its next Plenary Session, on 12-13 December 2007, the EESC will discuss two opinionsaddressing the situation of agricultural employment in Europe, with a particular focus on the burning questionsrelated to the situation of the migrant and seasonal agricultural workforce. The EESC draft opinionsemphasise as key message the idea thatthere must be equal pay for equal work and better conditions for access to social securityin order to develop the EU labour market in a socially sustainable way.

The draft EESC own-initiative opinion on 'Cross-border agricultural workforce (Rapporteur: Mr Siecker, Group II - Employees, Netherlands) emphasises that migrant workers must be treated in every respect in the same way as the legally resident workers alongside whom they are working. From this perspective, the proposed directive of the European Parliament and of the Council providing for harmonised sanctions against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals should also apply to employers who illegally employ workers from EU countries that are still subject to restrictions. Moreover, the EESC considers it essential that the EU should ensure that the directive is not just enacted in legislation in all Member States but is also enforced in practice.

In a draft additional opinion on 'Agricultural employment situation' (Rapporteur: Mr Wilms, Group II - Employees, Germany) the EESC points out that agricultural workers must be treated equally in all matters, irrespective of their place of origin. In the short term, there is a need for action in several key areas: the setting up of minimum standards to regulate the working and living conditions of all migrant workers in Europe; comprehensive, employment-based social protection for migrant workers, including the acquisition of pension rights; the inclusion of seasonal workers in upskilling schemes; the provision of information to migrant workers on working conditions and on their rights. In order to fight the lack of transparency which distorts competition, the EESC suggests awarding certificates to farms that meet certain social criteria.

For further information, please consult the integral text of the opinions at:

http://www.eesc.europa.eu/documents/opinions/avis_en.asp?type=en