(Brussels, 4 July 2014 - EPSU Press Communication) In a joint statement the German and Spanish health and social services trade unions together with the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), the voice of Europe's care workers, stress their determination in the fight against rogue employers that take advantage of health workers. A recent example is how a Berlin-based care company exploited Spanish nurses and offered lower pay and conditions than those stipulated by the collective agreement.
One of the consequences of the devastating impact of the austerity policies, pursued by governments across Europe, has been cuts in public spending for health and other public services. Many care workers are losing their jobs in countries hit hard by these policies and are migrating to other EU countries.
The European Commission wants to stimulate this mobility. Jan Willem Goudriaan, EPSU General Secretary states “Migrant workers are amongst the most vulnerable on the labour market. We will also protect these workers and fight the unscrupulous employers that exploit them. We demand that the new Parliament and the new Commission together with Member States make preventing social dumping a priority. One sure solution is by ensuring that all workers can benefit from the terms of collective agreements."
To read the statement: [ES->http://www.epsu.org/a/10607], [EN->http://www.epsu.org/a/10605] and [DE->http://www.epsu.org/a/10606]
For more information: Pablo Sanchez, [email protected], 0032 (0) 474626633
Footnote of articles already in the press:
- Deutsche Welle (22.06.14): Knebelverträge für ausländische Pfleger
- Deutsche Wirtschaftsnachrichten (11.06.14): EU lotst spanische Pfleger nach Deutschland, wo sie ausgebeutet werden
- Deutschlandfunk (05.06.14): Moderne Schuldknechtschaft: Knebelverträge für ausländische Pflegekräfte
- Deutschlandfunk (07.10.13): Krankenpfleger sind in Deutschland Hilfskräfte
- Eldiario.es - El Pais
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