What about the British workers who are working elsewhere in the EU?

The argument is not against foreign workers, it's against EU companies discriminating against British labour.

It appears that the EU "posted workers" directive has given companies outside the UK permission to operate in this country using workers from its country of origin to the exclusion of British workers, as long as it's for a limited time and the company abides by local working conditions. Presumably this is a reciprocal situation but from my knowledge British companies working abroad invariably use local workers alongside British workers. The British always play it fair.

The directive appears to be allowed on the basis that the workforce brought into the UK will only be allowed to operate for a limited period. Is this period set out in the directive and if so what is it or is it negotiated as a part of the terms and conditions of the specific contract agreed for the work?

Whichever applies what happens when that time runs out? It is well known that construction projects are nearly always completed later than intended and are delayed due to various reasons, the weather, poor management, client changes etc. Do the companies immediately return workers home and employ local workers once the original time period expires?

Also is it the case that the company involved secured the contract because it could exclusively use Italian and Portuguese workers who may accept less remuneration for the services that they provide thereby giving the Employer an unfair advantage in pricing for the contract? Is this why there is an EU directive allowing companies to discriminate as to whether or not they use local workers?

Gordon Brown has said that his comments relating to British workers for British jobs was said in the context that British workers needed to be better trained to match the jobs available. We have some of the best trained construction workers, architects and engineers in the world currently sitting at home out of work. They are also probably the best trained in Health and Safety practices whereas this is not always the case in other European countries.

Perhaps it is time to get out of the EU!