Commission guidelines

The European Commission has proposed new guidelines for the application of the right of EU citizens to work in another member state. The guidelines are contained in a draft directive presented on Friday (26 April) by László Andor, the European commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion. 

Under the proposal, member states would be required to establish national contact points for EU migrant workers, to ensure effective redress in cases of violations of rights, and to allow groups such as trade unions to undertake legal procedures on behalf of individual workers.

The Commission says that the draft legislation, which requires the backing of MEPs and of a weighted majority of member states to become law, is a response to numerous complaints about obstacles faced by EU citizens seeking employment in another member state. Such obstacles include nationality requirements or quotas in certain professions, different working conditions from those of local workers, and problems with the recognition of professional qualifications.

The right of EU citizens to work in any member state without discrimination derives from the EU treaties and is set out in detail in a 2011 regulation on freedom of movement of workers.