Watch: Agri sector workers demonstrate in Strasbourg

Workers and trade unions rally in Strasbourg ahead of crucial European Parliament plenary vote.

Hundreds of workers and trade unionists gathered in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg today (Tuesday, February 10) for a joint demonstration organised by EFBWW, EFFAT and ETF.

These are the three European Trade Union Federations representing workers in agriculture, food processing, construction, hospitality, domestic work and transport.

The action was organised to mobilise support ahead of the upcoming vote on the European Parliament’s own-initiative report on subcontracting and intermediaries.

They wanted to to urge the European Commission to propose a binding EU initiative to limit contracting and subcontracting, regulate labour intermediation, and ensure equal treatment and fair competition across the EU labour market.

Agriland spoke (with the help of a translator) to one agricultural industry worker who has a job in cheese processing – see the video below.

The proposals, which MEPs will vote on, are thought to be a key step toward a binding EU Directive that ensures decent working conditions and fair treatment for workers across sectors.

Parliament vote

The European Parliament now moves toward a plenary vote that could strengthen the call for robust legislation to end exploitative subcontracting practices and unregulated labour intermediaries – a major driver of labour abuse, insecure work and social dumping across the EU, according to EEFAT.

The organisation believes that a strong outcome would push the European Commission and EU co-legislators to adopt new policy around protecting such workers.

Today’s action follows last year’s rally where 800 workers gathered in front of the European Parliament to ensure the inclusion of the fight against abusive subcontracting and labour intermediation in the EU policy agenda.

MEPs from the S&D, the Left, the EPP, Renew, and Greens/EFA expressed their support for the need to curb exploitative contracting and subcontracting practices and unscrupulous intermediaries.

Following the demonstration, a hearing took place inside the European Parliament.

EFFAT general secretary, Enrico Somaglia said: “Millions of workers and responsible employers in Europe are paying the price for abusive contracting and subcontracting practices and unregulated labour intermediation.

“Systemic issues that increasingly dominate several sectors of the economy pitting workers against each other. It is time to end such abuse.

“Our call for a Directive is about restoring fairness, equal treatment, and fair competition.

“With the plenary vote in the European Parliament taking place this week, right after our day of action, the momentum is undeniable: now is the time to act and stop exploitation.”

.editor-styles-wrapper .wp-block-acf-related-stories-block {
max-width: 960px !important;
background-color: var(–color-gray-default);
padding-inline: 40px;
padding-top: 8px !important;
padding-bottom: 20px !important;
}