Seasonal workers from non-EU countries who are recruited through our platform and employed in Mediterranean EU countries are protected by EU law and national laws of the host country. Below is a clear summary of your core rights and the corresponding employer obligations.

1) Equal Treatment & Fair Working Conditions

You are entitled to equal treatment with nationals of the host country regarding:

Terms of employment (pay, dismissal protection), working hours, rest breaks, paid leave/holidays, and minimum working age.
Health and safety at work standards equivalent to those for local workers.
Freedom of association (e.g., to join a trade union) and access to vocational training and certain social security benefits according to EU coordination rules. EUR-Lex Legislation.gov.uk Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Employer obligations: Provide a written employment contract (or binding offer) specifying salary, working time, duties, and duration; apply national minimum wage/sectoral rates and national working-time/leave law. EUR-Lex+1

2) Health & Safety (OSH) Protections

Employers must ensure safety and health “in every aspect related to the work,” including:

Risk assessments and preventive measures before work starts.
Training and instructions specific to the job and workplace.
Protective equipment where required.
Consultation/participation of workers on safety matters and access to a safety representative where applicable. EU-OSHA EU Monitor

You have the right to safe accommodation when it is provided by the employer; it must meet adequate standards and related costs must be reasonable and transparent (no abusive deductions). European Union ela.europa.eu

3) Social Security & Insurance

While working in an EU Member State, you are covered by one country’s social security system at a time (generally the state of employment). You have the same rights and obligations as nationals under that system (e.g., sickness, work injury benefits), according to EU coordination rules. Private health insurance may also be required for visa issuance depending on national practice. Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion PubMed Central

4) Residence Status, Mobility & Changing Employer

Your seasonal worker authorisation/visa allows you to perform the job named in the authorisation. EU law requires Member States to enable a change of employer during permit validity (conditions vary by country; prior authorisation or notification may be required), and to provide effective complaint mechanisms even after the relationship ends. EUR-Lex EU Agenda

5) Complaint Mechanisms & Enforcement

Member States must have measures to prevent abuse and exploitation, including:

Monitoring/inspections (labour inspectorates).
Sanctions for non-compliant employers.
The ability for workers to lodge complaints directly or through third parties (e.g., unions, NGOs), with access to judicial and administrative remedies. European Union

Our platform directs you to the relevant labour inspectorate and support services in each country if you need help.

6) Information & Documentation

You must receive clear information—in a language you understand—about:

Contract terms (pay, hours, duties, duration).
Accommodation conditions and costs (if employer-provided).
Deductions from wages (must be lawful and transparent).
Health & safety risks, training, and equipment. EUR-Lex

7) Data Protection & Privacy

Your personal data is processed under EU data protection rules (GDPR). Employers and the platform must collect only necessary data, use it lawfully for recruitment and compliance, and keep it secure.

Quick Reference: Your Core Rights at a Glance

Equal treatment in pay, hours, leave, dismissal protection, and OSH. EUR-Lex
Written contract with clear terms before starting work. EUR-Lex
Safe working conditions and job-specific training/equipment. EU-OSHA
Adequate accommodation when provided; no abusive deductions. European Union ela.europa.eu
Social security coverage under the host country’s system; equal treatment principle. Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
Possibility to change employer during permit validity (per national rules). EUR-Lex EU Agenda
Right to complain and access remedies; inspections and sanctions protect you. European Union

Notes by Country

Each country (Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Malta, Cyprus) applies these EU-level rights through its national law and procedures. Details on wages, working-time limits, public holidays, and permit change rules vary by country and sector. See our Visa & Immigration and Regulations & Resources sections for country-specific pages and forms.