The European Citizen Action Service (ECAS), on 31 July, set up a new hotline to inform migrant workers of their citizen rights.
With some countries only gradually opening up for workers from the new member states, there is much confusion about the citizen's rights. Figures by Eurobarometer show that people’s interest in free movement is indeed high. Still, only less than 2% actually make use of this. Tony Venables, Director of ECAS, said that “it is the ideal time for citizens to stand up for their rights”.
The aim is also to collect new evidence about the situation of migrant workers and finally compile these findings in a report, which will be brought to the attention of the EU institutions. Current findings in Austria, Italy and Romania seem to indicate that fears of high numbers of migrant workers are higher than the actual numbers. In fact, countries that had put quota systems into place did not make full use of them.
The hotline can be reached by calling +32 2 512 59 68 or by email: hotline@ecas.org.
