''BETTER LATE THAN NEVER'' FOR TEMPORARY WORKERS

21/10/2008: The Directive on Temporary Workers was the focus of MEPs' discussions in the October plenary session in Strasbourg.

Speaking in the plenary, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP, Member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, stressed the importance of the Directive which provides for the consolidation of the rights mainly for women as they constitute a large part of temporary workers.

According to Eurostat (2005, Europe of 25), the percentage of temporary female workers reached 14.9% compared to 13.9% for men. The percentage reached 14.7% (10.25% for men) in Greece, 13.6% (14% for men) in Germany and 14.2% (12.5% for men) in France.

"The new proposal protects and promotes the rights of workers with respect to human value and contribution. The implementation of laws must be safeguarded for all workers and the same payment, insurance and protection conditions have to be guaranteed for any type of work, whether it is for a one-day job or a permanent one", said the MEP.

The Directive intends to fill the existing legislative void on the matter, and it constitutes social progress. It is also an important victory for the EU-27, as it puts forward several issues:

• The equality of treatment for temporary workers;
• The respect of social rules by the companies
• The recognition of temporary employment companies as a legal and professional commercial activity.

Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou underlined that the present Directive will create the framework in which temporary work will contribute in creating new and flexible jobs and an alternative to unemployment without leaving out security, and where healthy competition distortions will be avoided.

Taking into consideration the Member States' different traditional employment practices, differences in the Directive may be allowed in agreement with the social partners. As an example, Greek legislation guarantees the same treatment for both temporary workers and permanent workers from the very first working day within the same company.
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For further information:
Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP
Tel: +32-2-2847447 - Fax: +32-2-2849447
E-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DECENT WORK

06/10/2008: Statement by Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, Member of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee

In light of the International Day for Decent Work (Tuesday 7 October), Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, Member of the European Parliament and draftswoman of the report on promoting decent work for all, stressed the importance of the EU's contribution to the promotion of decent working conditions and acceptable living standards for all.

The European Employment Policy aims at creating high quality employment, defending and guaranteeing workers' rights, such as health protection and social security, achieving effective social protection, promoting social dialogue and using communication and negotiation as tools in the resolution of work-related issues.

Efforts have been made both at International (United Nations, International Labour Organisation) and European level (European Commission report on the EU contribution to the promotion of decent work in the world of 2008) in view of the reinforcement of the Agenda on Decent Work. These efforts also contribute to the improvement of working conditions, to the development of measures striving to combat any type of discrimination, and to the attraction of a highly-qualified workforce.

"Issues such as working time, temporary workers' status, coordination of social security systems and pensions are questions that need to be resolved in the most appropriate manner in order for workers to be protected and to be able to fully participate the labour market. They should improve and emphasise their skills by adapting themselves to the political and social developments. To that end, the EP's role will be essential", stated the Greek MEP.