Trade union group FNV is to go to court in an effort to ensure foreign workers are paid the same as the Dutch for doing the same work, news agency ANP said on Monday.

The decision stems from a dispute involving 800 Polish construction workers involved in building new RWE coal-fired power stations in Eemshaven in Groningen, ANP said.
The Poles have been brought in via Polish building group Remak which, the FNV claims, is paying its staff below agreed rates, which conflicts with rules on cross-border employment.
Competition
FNV spokeswoman Masja Zwart told ANP the union hopes to ensure equal pay for the equal work. At the same time it wants to take action against unfair competition from cheaper foreign contractors.
Dutch building firms are going background, Zwart points out. ‘There is lots of work in Eemshaven but you hardly see any Dutch metal workers or builders,’ she said.
It is the first time the FNV has taken legal action on pay involving foreign workers. The union believes if the court rules in its favour, the impact will be considerble on other sectors, such as farming, supermarkets, distribution and construction in general.
The FNV estimates three out of four companies pay foreign workers less than the native Dutch. ‘This can cut their salary costs by up to 40%, making them a lot cheaper than Dutch firms,’ Zwart said.
The problem of underpaying foreign workers is also a major issue in agriculture which employs thousands of central and eastern migrant workers.
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