Brussels, 25/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - Protection of human rights and labour standards for migrant workers, whatever their nationality or legal status has to be an EU priority if it is really going to tackle the problem of exploitation of illegal immigrants. With these words, John Monks, Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomed the Commission's new proposals for fighting against illegal immigration (EUROPE 9236). Commenting on the recent events that have occurred in Europe, which have revealed the scale of the phenomenon of forced labour and slavery among immigrant workers, John Monks affirmed in a press statement that he was “shocked” that situations like the Polish slave camp recently discovered in the South of Italy, could happen on EU territory. According to Monks this is a sign that, “policies and measures are focusing on the wrong issues, and are largely ineffective in protecting people from exploitation”. He said that he would like to see more emphasis on preventive measures regarding immigration and development and regretted that, “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”. John Monks believes they need to provide bridges out of irregular situations for undocumented migrant workers and their families, enabling them to report exploitative conditions without fear of immediate deportation.
The press release indicates that everyone - with or without the appropriate documents should be respected as a human being and benefit from basic human rights and minimum labour standards (including decent working conditions, freedom of associations and protection against forced labour).