Brussels, 02/02/2009
Mr Monks declared: ‘We do not yet know all the details of the contractual arrangements made in the United Kingdom (UK) regarding the Lindsey Oil Refinery. But it is apparent that, while we support strongly the free movement of labour, we need clearer and stronger traffic rules in the European Union which guarantee equal treatment of workers regardless of nationality, and that collective agreements are fully respected by employers. Some employers are undercutting such collective agreements and workers’ anger should be directed at them and not at the migrant workers. ETUC is calling for a revised Posting of Workers Directive and a social progress protocol attached to the European Treaties to counter recent adverse decisions of the European Court of Justice which permit employers to ignore established agreements and, in effect, give them a license to undercut wages and conditions.’