Illegal immigration : ETUC calls for enforcement of minimum labour standards and decent working conditions as a priority

Brussels, 20/07/2006

Commenting on the recent events in Europe that have revealed the extent to which migrant workers are working under conditions of forced labour and slavery, ETUC General Secretary John Monks said: “We are shocked that such situations can happen on EU territory. They should be seen as a wake-up call for national and EU authorities as well as employers and trade unions at all levels, showing that current policies and measures are focusing on the wrong issues, and are largely ineffective in protecting people from exploitation. Instead, we want to see more pro-active policies on migration and development.”

Reacting to this week's European Commission Communication on an 'EU policy to fight illegal migration', he added: “We agree with the Commission that Member States should be tougher on employers and others who profit from abusive working conditions, but in the Commission's approach we miss any reference to the importance of monitoring and enforcement of minimum labour standards and protection of the human rights of migrant workers, as well as a call to employers and their organisations to show a more unambiguous commitment in this regard. Providing bridges out of irregular situations for undocumented migrant workers and their families, and enabling them to report exploitative conditions without fear of immediate deportation, are key if we want to put an end to these abhorrent situations.”

According to the ETUC, it is an illusion to think that EU Member States can solve the problem of illegal migration by closing their borders and implementing repressive measures.
Therefore, in several recent positions . [[ETUC response to the Commission's Green Paper on a EU approach to managing economic migration ]] [[ETUC positions on transitional measures ]]the ETUC has demanded a fundamental change of direction, reversing the dead-end approach of most EU Member States on migration.

The ETUC is calling for more active social policies - and their effective implementation and enforcement at national and EU level - to end unfair competition between companies and Member States at the expense of workers' rights.

At the same time there must be a recognition that every person - with proper documents or not - is to be valued and respected as a human being and should be entitled to the basic human rights and minimum labour standards (including decent working conditions, freedom of association and protection against forced labour) that all citizens should enjoy.