Engineers released after lawyer challenges Swedish raid
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Bert Maes, a Dutch lawyer, secured the release of foreign engineers detained in Sweden on October 9th after arguing their work complied with EU Posted Workers Directive.
Swedish police had seized 20 foreign nationals during a raid involving seven government agencies, claiming they lacked permission to work in Sweden. Maes asserted the workers possessed the right to work under EU law and that authorities either lacked understanding of, or disregarded, European regulations.
He explained the engineers, who were preparing to apply for longer-term residency permits, held valid Dutch residency permits and were within the permitted 90-day stay under Schengen rules. The police maintained the workers were potentially abusing the rules for posting third-country nationals and did not have an unconditional right to work.
Maes intends to pursue financial compensation from the Swedish state for damages and legal fees, and plans to have the engineers return to complete their work at the SSAB site. He also pointed out the workers earned approximately 6,000 euros monthly, contradicting police claims of exploitation.
