Parliament approves new EU rules improving working conditions

The European Parliament has approved a new EU-wide legislation which will drastically improve the working conditions of all employees across Europe, including those working in Malta and Gozo. This is important not only for all Maltese and Gozitan employees but also for businesses. This reflects our principles and values:  we stand against abuse and respect human dignity.

Addressing the European Parliament, Partit Nazzjonalista’s Head of Delegation David Casa, who has served as the EPP Group’s Coordinator for the Employment and Social Affairs Committee for the past 5 years, said: “Throughout the years, work has changed and we must adapt to this new reality. These new EU rules have been modernised and updated to be more transparent. We also should protect workers who are operating on digital platforms. They deserve appropriate protection and access to information. This is achieved by the new rules by reinforcing the type of information provided by the employer.”

In his speech, Member of the European Parliament Francis Zammit Dimech, who has served as the EPP Group Rapporteur on the directive in the Committee on Legal Affairs, said: “The importance of a directive on working conditions can be confirmed by the number of limitations outlined by Unions in a consultation meeting I held. Unions spoke to me about workers having to pay for mandatory training or about workers who seek their rights when they do not even have a contract. These bad practices will now be addressed. This directive is not only beneficial for workers but also for SMEs as it will ensure fair competition.”

The European Parliament has also approved a new regulation to establish a European Labour Authority. MEP Francis Zammit Dimech, who also served as the EPP Group Rapporteur on the regulation in the Committee on Legal Affairs, said: “We should not take our right to work in different member states for granted. Nowadays several jobs involve cross-border elements and we need to ensure that working conditions are respected across the EU. This also calls for more cooperation in terms of social security to facilitate portability of pensions. Member States should have concrete plans when it comes to mobility of workers to avoid problems and any negative impact on jobs and society.”

MEP David Casa, who coordinated the EPP Group in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee on this regulation, said: “A functioning single market stimulates growth, competition and trade. It is one of our greatest successes as a Union and we need to continue to build on this success by enabling fair mobility within the EU. In order to do so, it was important to create clear, fair and enforceable rules on labour mobility. This will be achieved through greater synergies between national authorities. The Authority will be there to provide national authorities the much needed support to fight fraud and abuse and making mobility easy for citizens.”