Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, received Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair to discuss the current dispute at the airline company on the application of labour law and the steps Ryanair is taking.

During the meeting, which took place upon request of Mr O'Leary, Commissioner Thyssen reiterated that EU rules on employment contracts for mobile air crews are clear: it's not the flag of the aircraft that determines the applicable law. It is the place from where the workers leaves in the morning and returns in the evening, without the employer having to cover the expenses. 

The Commissioner also stressed: "Respecting EU law is not something over which workers should have to negotiate, nor is it something which can be done differently from country to country. I made this very clear to Mr. O'Leary today. I am not against Ryanair or against the low-cost business model. But with great success also comes great responsibility. The internal market is not a jungle; it has clear rules on fair labour mobility and worker protection. This is not an academic debate, but about concrete social rights of worker."