The Single Permit directive was adopted on Wednesday with 465 votes in favor and 122 against. Extensive negotiations took place between Social Affairs ministers and the European Parliament.
The new law is a combined work and residence permit that allows legal migrants from outside the EU to obtain residence rights and access to the European labor market through a single procedure. “This is truly a win-win law, enabling us to offer migrants a safe, legal path to the EU while simultaneously filling shortages in crucial sectors of our labor market,” said GreenLeft MEP Tineke Strik.
In negotiations, she succeeded in shortening decision timeframes and improving legal protections for hired personnel. “Still, we must not forget that many of these working migrants are vulnerable and can end up in terrible exploitation situations,” Strik continued.
Under this law, migrant workers will gain the right to change employers during their stay. Until now, their work permits were valid for only one employer. If their job ends earlier, currently they are not allowed to take other work within the remaining time of their residence permit. “With the amended law, we break the dependency relationship with dubious employers,” Strik added.
Labour Party MEP Agnes Jongerius used the legislative change to strengthen the legal position of temporary workers from non-EU countries. Before their work starts, it must be clear who the employer is, even if this is a temp agency or if they work through a subcontractor. The salary and work schedule must also be clear.
“Far too often, labor migrants are brought here under false pretenses. Labor migrants from third countries must explicitly have the same rights as workers from the EU,” Jongerius said.
“The list of exceptions in the previous law was longer than the list of equal rights. We have been able to clarify and extend this, for example with the right to collective bargaining. EU countries must also start enforcing equal rights more rigorously, including through inspections.