Taxi Driver Online

2 Feb 2009

Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary commenting on the current unofficial dispute regarding the application of the EU Posted Workers Directive said, “Peter Mandelson is in denial about the nature of the problem that has given rise to the dispute. Overseas companies are refusing to employ UK nationals on projects in the UK. That is not right.

The facts are that the manner in which the EU 1996 Posted Workers Directive was applied into UK law in 1999 was botched. The Labour Party recognised this in 2004 at Warwick (See Note 1) and made a manifesto commitment to apply Article 3(8) properly into UK law (See Note 2). That commitment, which was repeated at Warwick in 2008, has not been honoured.

The problem with the Directive has been made worse by recent interpretations in European Court judgements (Viking and Laval). The EU Parliament has asked the EU Commission and member states to put this right by returning the law to what it was before the judgements.

As the interpretation of the law now stands it is possible for overseas companies to refuse to employ UK nationals on projects in the UK as indeed it is the case in any other EU country. The UK government should take the advice of the EU Parliament and press the EU Commission to correct this interpretation. At the same time the UK government should honour it’s manifesto commitment and correct the botched application of the Posted Workers Directive in UK law.”

Ends

Contact: Kathleen Walker-Shaw, GMB European Officer on 07841 181549 or GMB Press Office: Steve Pryle on 07921 289880 or Rose Conroy on 07974 251823.

Notes to Editors: Journalists who require copies of Article 3 of the Posted Workers Directive should call Kathleen Walker-Shaw GMB, European Officer.

Note 1: At Warwick this commitment was given “Assurance that Posting of Workers Directive will not lead to under-cutting “

Note 2: The aim of the Directive is to protect the rights of workers sent abroad to work in another European Union country. In regard to the construction industry, it aims to further protect posted workers from exploitation. Conversely, in particular regard to the construction, contracting and building sectors, it protects domestic construction workers and contractors in the host country from unregulated wage competition or social dumping ( this was dealt with under Article 3). The Directive addressed the need to create a basic framework of equal treatment for workers within the territory where (building and construction) work is undertaken.

Under article 3(8) to apply the directive properly, in the current environment, the United Kingdom has simply to decide which collective agreements to apply.

Note 3: GMB is represented at the current talks hosted by ACAS at Scunthorpe.

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Mick Hildreth (07814 032002)
GMB PDB P39 Southern Region Branch Secretary
mick.hildreth@gmbtaxis.org.uk
www.gmbpdb.org.uk

I know of one local factory who seem to avoid employing too many brits, they have been raided a few times and caught with "illegals" (agency supplied) but now have "legals" instead (polish,latvian,etc), mainly because they will work, they turn up and have a different attitude to employers, however ive also noticed the number of PL,SK and BG plated vehicles is dwindling, ive even taken 4 to EMA myself....

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Why are you taking cars to EMA?

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Grandad,

they were cheaper than right hand drives?...

to be honest, i thought the caller said "four pole dancers" so i quoted low and took the booking...

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

You mean like this?

Advertising for Polish drivers only:

http://i.247staff.com/jobsearch/jobDeta ... ad_id=2159

And here, scroll down near the bottom - two adverts written in Polish.

http://i.247staff.com/jobsearch/adv_vie ... &offset=40

Methinks that f***ing stinks.

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IDFIMH

How do they get away with that

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Aint the mob from Plymouth been doing this for years?

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

driving through harlech one day i saw a sign by a house

"roofers wanted - no scousers"

but i guess "scouser" isnt a recognised nationality so thats ok...

what would happen if i put up a sign "cook wanted - no ragheads"

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most