SIPTU activists joined more than 700 workers and trade union representatives who rallied in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, yesterday (Tuesday, 17th September) to call upon the EU institutions for urgent action to stop exploitation in subcontracting chains.
The European action organised by the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW), the European Federation of Food (EFFAT), Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions, and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) aims to demand an EU-binding initiative to limit subcontracting and regulate labour intermediation and to bolster the frequency and effectiveness of labour inspections.
Following the demonstration, a hearing inside the European Parliament took place. The event focused on testimonies from workers affected by exploitative subcontracting practices and unscrupulous intermediaries and had the participation of MEPs from various political groups in the European Parliament.
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.”
SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “Abusive subcontracting practices is 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.”
SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Murphy, said: “SIPTU is not prepared to allow the exploitation of workers across the supply chain within the transport industry. We need to ensure public money is invested to create decent jobs and not simply funnelled into multinational companies, investors and sub-contractors’ pockets.”