Memo: Commissioner Malmström welcomes European Parliament vote on migrant seasonal workers

On 5 February 2014, European Commissioner Malmström welcomed the European Parliament's vote on migrant seasonal workers. Under the new law, seasonal workers from outside the EU will be entitled to better working and living conditions, including proper accommodation and a limit on working hours.

These rules aim both to end exploitation and to prevent temporary stays becoming permanent. The European Commission estimates that over 100,000 third-country seasonal workers come to the EU every year.

Following today's vote in the European Parliament, the Council will need to formally adopt the Directive. Member States will then have two and a half years to implement it.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Commissioner Malmström welcomes agreement on migrant seasonal workers http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-commissioner-malmstrom-welcomes-agreement-on-migrant-seasonal-workers/

European Parliament: Press Release, 05.02.14: More rights and better working conditions for non-EU seasonal workers http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20140203IPR34619/

EUObserver, 06.02.14: Non-EU seasonal workers to get equal rights http://euobserver.com/news/123023

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