We reject discriminatory treatment of workers in the EU!
Press release by Ádám Kósa and Csaba Sógor
Several EPP MEP’s including Ádám Kósa (FIDESZ) and Csaba Sógor (RMDSZ) addressed a written question to the European Commission, in relation to Eastern European workers in Austria whose family members live in the country of origin. The action was necessary because the new Austrian government may apply measures on decreasing tax paying workers’ legitimate rights. In its response the response of the European Commission categorically rejects the discriminatory measures regarding the indexation of family allowances.
As known, the intended modifications of the Austrian government would
decrease the family allowances of 132.000 children residing in the
country of origin, whose parents legally work in Austria. The Commission
confirmed the arguments of the MEP’s that the allowances of children of
workers that practice their right of free movement, who reside in
another member state must be the same as those of children of local
workers.
The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights forbids the direct or
indirect discrimination of workers on the basis of their nationality.
The preliminary measures of the Austrian government are inacceptable
taking into consideration the fact that the parents of the affected
children pay their taxes and contributions entirely to the Austrian
budget, not to mention that the families are not benefiting from the
publicly financed services (education, culture, health services etc.).
