site.btaBulgaria Wants Clear Aims Set for Possible Changes in EU Posted Workers Directive

Bulgaria Wants Clear Aims Set for Possible Changes in EU Posted Workers Directive

Brussels, December 8 (BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - Talking to Bulgarian journalists here on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivailo Kalfin said Bulgaria is in favour of setting clear objectives for possible amendments to the EU Posted Workers Directive.

Kalfin participated in the EU Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council.

He said the "old" EU Member States cite abuse as the reason why they want the Directive revised, while the "new" Member States argue that the Directive was last amended just a year ago, and want the effect of these changes assessed before any further revision.

Kalfin said problems arose mainly in construction and agriculture, as well as in self-employment. It has been found that the rules on work, pay and rest do not apply to the self-employed. In Europe there are about 1.3 million posted workers and as many cross-border employees who live in one EU country and work in another, he said.

Bulgaria has long been trying to raise the issue of providing protection under the Directive for personal carers and domestic workers, who have no social security whatsoever. There are quite a few Bulgarians among them, and their labour should be regulated.

Kalfin also said Britain's plans for a four-year ban on EU migrants claiming in-work benefits were unacceptable and against the EU's rules. "We are not against protection of the national welfare systems, but this should not be done through discrimination against rights. We are not going to support a re-negotiation of the principle of free movement in the EU. To us, it is a leading principle and it must stay."

The Bulgarian Social Policy Minister said the EU Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council gave final approval to establishing a European Platform against undeclared work.