Brussels, 17/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 15 April, the European Parliament adopted new rules to facilitate the temporary transfer of qualified non-European employees to European subsidiaries of multinational companies, the European Parliament states in a press release. These rules, contained within the Secondment of intra-group workers Directive, were adopted by 360 votes in favour, 278 against and 38 abstentions. The Socialists and Democrats of the S&D voted against, as they felt that the text did not put all workers on an equal footing. The rules will facilitate both the arrival of these workers in the EU from multinationals based abroad and their mobility between the member states. They will also allow close family members to work in the host country. The rules will apply only to highly qualified workers being brought in to fill a very specific role within the company. Their working conditions will be identical to the (controversial) ones applying to seconded workers in the EU and their work and residency permits may be issued for up to 3 years (one year for placement students). Once in the EU, it will also be easier for them to apply for a work permit for another member state, the Parliament adds, for short periods or in the longer term.
Logically, these workers should be under the same conditions as locals in terms of pay, union membership, recognition of qualifications and social security, unless the law of the country of origin of these migrants provides otherwise by virtue of bilateral agreements with the host country. In any case, national governments will be entitled not to pay social benefits to employees remaining for less than nine months. (SP)