New EU directive worries illegal OFWs

abs-cbnNEWS.com



A new European Union directive that sanctions employers of undocumented migrants is causing tension among some illegal Filipinos in Brussels.

The Employer Sanction Directive, which is expected to take effect by 2011, provides for sanctions against employers of illegally staying third world nationals. The sanction directive is part of the European Union’s way to resolve the increasing number of illegally staying people who grab employment opportunities from legal migrants.

One Filipino worker who has been working in Brussels for the past five years says the new directive could spell the end of her illegal stay in the country.

"Eliza" said she is now extremely cautious when leaving the house because she lacks the necessary work documents.

"There's genuine concern that we will be caught. I don't have an agreement with my employer. Besides, they never asked me if I have any papers," she said.

In a report posted on the website soderkoping.org.ua, Vice President Jacques Barrot, EU Commissioner responsible for justice, freedom and security, pointed out the dangers faced by migrants who are illegally hired.

Barrot said that due to the dependency of undocumented migrants on their employer, there is the possibility of them ending up in "the harsh reality of exploitation and even sometimes slavery-like conditions."

Based on EU’s estimates, there are already around eight million undocumented workers in Europe. It is also estimated that the number increases by seven percent every year.

Under the sanction directive. employers found to be hiring illegal workers will be fined or would lose their subsidies or their rights from receiving state aids.Racquel Bernal-Crisostomo, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

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