Commissioner Thyssen’s exchange of views in the Hungarian National Assembly - Hoofdinhoud
Issues related to the posting and employment of workers in the framework of the provision of services as well as the European pillar of social rights were discussed by Commissioner Marianne Thyssen responsible for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility and Members of the Hungarian National Assembly on 16 March 2017. In his welcoming address Mr Richárd Hörcsik, Chairman of the Committee on European Affairs highlighted the importance of the enhanced political dialogue between the European Commission and the national Parliaments.
Regarding the proposed amendment of the Posted Workers Directive [COM (2016) 128] the Chairman underlined the view that the proposal would jeopardise the integrity of the Single Market. In addition, it was mentioned that the proposed changes are unacceptable for Hungary since they would artificially restrict the freedom of services as a result of which Hungarian enterprises providing cross-border services would be forced out of the EU’s Single Market. The issue of the impact assessment accompanying the above mentioned proposal was also touched upon. Madame Commissioner emphasized the need of the targeted revision of the directive 96/71/EC. She stressed that according to the proposed amendment all the obligatory elements of the remuneration of local workers will have to be paid to the posted workers as well. She added that different calculations were prepared by the Commission regarding the general impact of the targeted revision, these statistics do not reflect the opinion of the Member States opposing the amendment. In her view the skills, talents and specialized knowledge of the Central and Eastern European enterprises will be rewarded in the future as well. She mentioned that the proposal aiming at the revision of the specific rules regarding the posted workers in the international transport sector will be issued in May 2017.
During the exchange of views the issue of the indexation of child benefits on the agenda of the Austrian Parliament was also touched upon. Concerning the proposal amending Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems [COM (2016) 815] issued last December the representative of the Commission highlighted that the change of the rules of child benefits is not planned. She stressed the principle according to which the Member State where the contributions are paid by an EU citizen has to ensure the benefits as well.
Furthermore, the state of play of the pillar of social rights has been discussed. Reflecting to the question raised by Ms Bernadett Szél, leader of the Politics Can be Different parliamentary group, the Commissioner informed the Members of the Hungarian National Assembly that the final proposal in this regard is planned to be issued end of April 2017. Since the changing realities of the world of work have to be taken into account, the Commission is wishing to provide guidelines which can serve as a compass for the renewed convergence within the euro area. She added that the competences of the Member States will be respected.
Mr Sebestyén Vágó, Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Social Welfare informed the delegation of the European Commission that the Jobbik parliamentary group will launch a campaign to promote the European Wage Union concept. A Citizens’ Committee will be established and a petition to the European Commission will be submitted. Finally he requested the Commission to make a decision on their petition as soon as possible so that they could begin collecting the one million statements of support for integrating the “equal wages for equal work” principle into the fundamental Treaties of the European Union.
Source: The Hungarian National Assembly