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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Illegal workers face EU crackdown | Illegal workers face EU crackdown |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Euro MPs have backed tough new rules aimed at preventing employers from hiring illegal workers, but a final vote will be held later this month. | |
| Employers who break the rules could be forced to pay fines, make up wage shortfalls, or face a ban for up to five years from public contracts. | Employers who break the rules could be forced to pay fines, make up wage shortfalls, or face a ban for up to five years from public contracts. |
| The "sanctions directive" already has the backing of the European Commission and the EU member states' governments. | The "sanctions directive" already has the backing of the European Commission and the EU member states' governments. |
| The UK is opting out, doubting the EU's authority to impose criminal sanctions. | |
| Up to eight million non-EU illegal migrants are thought to work in the EU. Figures provided by 21 member states suggest a total of 893,000 to 923,000 illegal immigrants entering the EU each year. | |
| The new rules, steered through the European Parliament by Italian Socialist MEP Claudio Fava, are set to take effect in 2011. | The new rules, steered through the European Parliament by Italian Socialist MEP Claudio Fava, are set to take effect in 2011. |
| Mr Fava, quoted on the parliament's website, said "migrants are often subjected to terrible exploitation, sometimes even treated as slaves". | Mr Fava, quoted on the parliament's website, said "migrants are often subjected to terrible exploitation, sometimes even treated as slaves". |
| Employers' doubts | Employers' doubts |
| Illegal workers in the EU are often employed as builders, farm labourers, cleaners and hotel staff. | Illegal workers in the EU are often employed as builders, farm labourers, cleaners and hotel staff. |
| Criminal law penalties are envisaged for employers guilty of repeat offences. It will be up to individual EU states to decide whether that means a fine or prison term. | Criminal law penalties are envisaged for employers guilty of repeat offences. It will be up to individual EU states to decide whether that means a fine or prison term. |
| A contracting employer will also be held liable if a subcontractor uses illegal workers. | A contracting employer will also be held liable if a subcontractor uses illegal workers. |
| The directive is part of a broader EU package aimed at combating illegal immigration while encouraging legal migration. | The directive is part of a broader EU package aimed at combating illegal immigration while encouraging legal migration. |
| A lobby group for firms in the EU, BusinessEurope, voiced objections to some parts of the legislation. | A lobby group for firms in the EU, BusinessEurope, voiced objections to some parts of the legislation. |
| "We have strong concerns because the proposal is disproportionate: it puts a heavy administrative burden on companies and includes too severe penalties," said BusinessEurope's Marcus Schwenke. | "We have strong concerns because the proposal is disproportionate: it puts a heavy administrative burden on companies and includes too severe penalties," said BusinessEurope's Marcus Schwenke. |
| He also complained about employers' liability for the actions of subcontractors, saying "companies are in practice not in the position to control the compliance of their subcontractors". | He also complained about employers' liability for the actions of subcontractors, saying "companies are in practice not in the position to control the compliance of their subcontractors". |
| Catelene Passchier of the European Trade Union Confederation voiced concern that the legislation could drive "a lot of the illegal work further underground". | Catelene Passchier of the European Trade Union Confederation voiced concern that the legislation could drive "a lot of the illegal work further underground". |