Is the EU dependent on seasonal migrants from third countries?

Cecilia Malmström, the responsible EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, stated that employers in the EU increasingly depended on help from people outside EU countries; this applied to agriculture and horticulture as much as to the tourist industry. Fewer and fewer employees from the EU were available to fulfil these tasks, said Malmström. Looking at the current unemployment figures, however, one cannot help but wonder about such a statement. The most important core issues of the Directive proposals are as follows: a simplified procedure for admitting seasonal workers from third countries; setting a maximum standard seasonal work time limit throughout the EU (6 months per calendar year); the option of a multi-seasonal permit for maximum three years or a simplified re-entry procedure in subsequent seasons; equal treatment of seasonal workers and national employees concerning certain rights (receiving social security benefits, acquiring income-related statutory pensions, access to goods and services, etc.); continuation the option of a labour market review by the EU Member States and the determination of quotas. In particular, the last point is very important. The practice remains that the Member States can determine whether they admit seasonal migrants or not. The main point of criticism of both trade union and AK, however, remains that the problems associated with return migration is not sufficiently looked into. It is assumed, that employees would return home after the end of their seasonal contract. Unfortunately, this has all too often been a false conclusion.

Intra-corporate transfer of employees to be made easier for concerns

The EU Commission also shows great interest in the intra-corporate temporary transfer of non-EU skilled workers of multinational concerns. One is hoping for an influx of special expertise to Europe, which in turn would contribute to strengthening the European economy. There were currently too many obstacles in the EU. The aim now would be to introduce unified regulations for executives and skilled workers as well as for trainees. Transfer should be possible for a maximum period of three years; maximum one year in the case of trainees.

The ball is now in the court of EU Parliament and Council

The Treaty of Lisbon means that EU Parliament and the Council must jointly come to an agreement. Whether this will speed up the decision-making process remains to be seen. The unanimity rule does no longer apply at Council level; what is now required is a qualified majority. Hence, it is no longer so easy to block a Directive proposal. The Brussels Office of the Chamber of Labour will actively participate in the debate on both Directives, because from the point of view of employees both Directives have to answer some criticism.

Further information:

Directive proposal on seasonal workers

Press release of the European Commission on intra-corporate temporary transfer

Directive proposal on intra-corporate temporary transfer