Seasonal Workers

Commenting on the Commission proposal for a directive on seasonal employment. Green MEP Judith Sargentini (Netherlands), Coordinator for the Greens on the Home Affairs committee, said:

"Seasonal work is an important part of a well functioning European labour migration policy. This directive will augment the legal position of seasonal workers, making exploitation by employers much more difficult. It also has the added benefit of being an instrument to decrease irregular migration.

"Labour migration is a sensitive topic and its discussion is therefore often avoided. However, it is a crucial issue, which concerns the future of Europe. The statistics indicate that in the coming decades Europe will have a huge ageing problem. Even now there is a large demand for seasonal workers in the agriculture, horticulture and tourism sectors making this directive very timely. Without seasonal workers these sectors will face real difficulties."

Green MEPJean Lambert (UK), coordinator for the Greens on the Employment and Social Affairs Committee added:

"We hear many horror stories of the abuse of seasonal workers, whichever country they come from. This proposed directive clearly sets out basic payment, employment, and social rights to which all such workers are entitled. However these rights are only as strong as the inspection measures which should enforce them.

"I particularly welcome that the proposal includes provisions on adequate and affordable accommodation, which will hopefully bring an end to the squalid and overpriced living conditions in which so many people currently doing seasonal work in the EU, particularly in the agricultural sector, are forced to live.

"When we look at the proposal we must also ensure that it deals not only with unscrupulous employers but also unscrupulous agencies which prey on people's hopes."