EU Labour Law complements policy initiatives taken by individual EU countries by setting minimum standards. In accordance with the Treaty – particularly Article 153 – it adopts laws (directives) that set minimum requirements for

• working & employment conditions,
• informing & consulting workers.

Individual EU countries are free to provide higher levels of protection if they so wish. While the European Working Time Directive entitles workers to 20 days’ annual paid leave, for example, many countries have opted for a more generous right to the benefit of workers.

Working Time Directive

To protect workers’ health and safety, working hours must meet minimum standards applicable throughout the EU.

Free Movement – EU nationals

Free movement of workers is a fundamental principle of the Treaty enshrined in Article 45 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and developed by EU secondary legislation and the Case law of the Court of Justice.

Posted workers

A “posted worker” is an employee who is sent by his employer to carry out a service in another EU Member State on a temporary basis.

Directive 96/71/EC of the European Parliament