Dutch translation of article of 13 April 2013in
de Volkskrant, a renowned Dutch national newspaper, Translated by Nienke
Groenendijk-Feenstra
The Dutch association
of airline pilots VNV-DALPA knows of at least one case of a house search with a
Ryanair pilot in the Netherlands. The pilot union suspects this house search
has been performed at the request of the German fiscal authorities. President
Evert van Zwoltold the ANP that there have been more cases in Germany.
According to VNV,
these house searches have been ‘fairly recent’ and concern Ryanair employees
for whom supposedly no taxes and social premiums have been paid. More countries
are investigating the practices of this low-cost airline. ‘It appears to be a
pattern’ van Zwol says.
Pilots and other
employees usually do not enter employment with this airline, but work as
freelancers. The contracts with Ryanair are drawn up in a manner that often
makes it unclear who is responsible for the payment of taxes and social
premiums.
The fiscal regulations
that pilots and cabin attendants have to deal with largely differ per country.
Therefore employees know very little about them when they have to sign the
agreement. Moreover, in the present labour market they often have no choice
except agreeing with what Ryanair offers. Van Zwol believes this airline
skilfully profits of this situation.
VNZ shares the
concerns expressed this week by the Ryanair pilot association RPG. ‘Ryanair
pilots shouldn’t have to worry about raids in their homes when they are
responsible for the safety and lives of millions of passengers. The Dutch
association of airline pilots finds this ‘take it or leave it’ approach
unacceptable’.
Amongst others in
Italy an ongoing investigation has resulted in large retrospective collections
of taxes. This week, Norway has also announced it is investigating the state of affairs, as a result of complaints by fired
employees that accused Ryanair of imposing ‘slavery contracts’.
