Free mobility, locked rights: the posting of construction workers from Portugal

Abstract

Mobility has become a cornerstone of the contemporary social world. In the European Union, the removal of barriers aimed at promoting the free movement of the labour force is a major goal of the integration process. This article investigates the political economy of posting, analysing the working and living conditions of Portuguese construction workers posted to other EU Member States. It highlights a set of abusive and exploitative practices involved in posting and the role those practices play in the (de)regulation of labour within the construction sector. In spite of the access to a pan-European labour market and the general principle of equal treatment, posted workers have restricted social rights in the host country. The study presented is based on research developed within the ‘EU Post Lab’ project, aimed at promoting activities of cooperation and awareness raising in the field of posting. The methodology adopted includes document analysis and interviews.