MEPs demand robust response to Prism scandal, less red tape on foreign posting of workers and a tough stance on Hungary's right-wing lawmaking.

Data protection / Workers abroad / Hungary

I think that the Prism case  was a wake-up call.

who say the US harvesting of personal data  – as in the recently blown Prism scandal –

Despite assurances  of laws protecting Europeans

as well as, if not better than,  the US protects its own,

The US or any other country is going to take  as much space as we will allow them.

So, it is all about the European Union  showing a bit more backbone

In a crisis, it's a welcome lifeline  for a million workers:

A posting abroad, but still within the EU.

However, abuse by companies of workers'  rights, legal confusion and red tape

are hampering opportunities and limiting  free movement of people and labour.

700 000 people in Western Europe  will lose their job,

A inquiry into whether new laws in Hungary  breach EU fundamental rights,

including freedom of expression  and minority rights, has wound up,

with MEPs demanding Orbán's right-wing  government fall behind EU values.

a right and proper step,  according to the MEP leading the inquiry.

We had enough of control,  of punishment, of humiliation.

And we want more sovereignty,  more independence,

and united we shall take  our homeland back.

I've had many messages, hundreds  of messages from Hungarian citizens.

What they tell me is that they want  the European Union to defend their rights.

After '89, the promise that we Europeans  made to one another

is that we will never again abandon  our European brothers and sisters

if there are problems with their fundamental  rights, rule of law and democracy.