Europe is imposing an oppressive labour straitjacket

“In my opinion, Europe is creating many burdens here but only a few benefits.” MEP Helga Stevens is not satisfied with the decision of the European Parliament to negotiate further with the European Council on a European guideline for transparent and predictable working conditions. “This is a very regrettable state of affairs given that the current text benefits neither the employee nor the employer. Because the EU wants to take the place of the member states, national protection rules are endangered. And for the employer there are a great many new administrative obligations and costs, the usefulness of which can be called into question,” says Helga Stevens.

Excessive obligations

MEP Helga Stevens above all regrets the excessive information requirements that are being imposed on the employer. “Things that have been set out in legal rules and CLAs should after all not need be included in the individual employment agreement as well. What’s more, I am of the opinion that governments should not pass the buck of their duty to inform on to the employer.” Helga Stevens also finds it unreasonable that in case of dismissal, the burden of proof will be entirely on the employer when an employee considers that he or she has been dismissed due to exercising his or her rights under the guideline.

Everyone an employee

MEP Helga Stevens also finds the excessively broad, European definition of “employee” problematic. “The definition is so broad that even the self-employed can fall under it. That is clearly at odds with the national definitions, and makes the rules confusing and uncertain. Furthermore, this European definition can exercise an influence on other areas, such as the Social security Social security is currently managed at the Federal level in Belgium. The most important pillars of Belgian social security are: sickness and invalidity insurance (NIDHI), pensions, unemployment insurance and child allowances. In addition, occupational illness, occupational accidents and annual holidays are dealt with at this level. Some Flemish parties have been campaigning for years for (large parts of) social security to be transferred to the Regions and Communities. social security arrangements of the member states. Europe is clearly exceeding its remit in this regard,” Helga Stevens says.

Good protection

The N-VA is an absolute supporter of a good, elementary protection for every employee. New forms of working such as intermittent and on-demand contracts bring with them, apart from their advantages, challenges as well in this regard. “It is the task and also the competence of the member states to shoulder their responsibility in this matter. However, the EU wants to impose an oppressive straitjacket, as a result of which member states will no longer be able to take account of the needs of their own labour market. Good national rules, collective agreements and traditions are coming under pressure as a result, and that is highly regrettable,” Helga Stevens concludes.