Polish, French labour ministers debate EU rules for workers

The European Commission has proposed changes, which French President Emmanuel Macron has enthusiastically backed, to see workers from different European Union countries paid at the rate of the country they are in.

Warsaw and some of its Central and Eastern European partners oppose the proposed changes, with Polish hauliers saying the new rules would make them less competitive.

In the meeting with Penicaud, Rafalska proposed excluding the transport sector from the changes, and a five-year transition period.

Rafalska said that of two million posted workers in the European Union, a quarter are Poles working mainly in construction, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Rafalska invited Penicaud to Poland for further talks.

Changes to the delegated workers directive, which postulated the same pay for the same work in the same place, were first proposed by the European Commission last year.

As well as equal pay, posted workers would have the same bonuses and leave entitlements as their local counterparts.

The European Commission also wants workers to be fully incorporated in their host country’s labour market after being posted for more than 24 months. French President Emmanuel Macron wants to cut the time frame in half. (vb/pk)

Source: PAP