The Association of Labour Providers (ALP) has called upon the European Commission (EC) to begin infraction proceedings against the British government following its decision to extend the Accession States Workers Registration Scheme for a further two years.

The scheme forces workers from eight EU members to pay a £90 fee when they start work in the UK. 

The call follows a letter written to government urging a rethink of its last-minute decision to preserve the Worker Registration Scheme (recruiter.co.uk, 14 April).

Mark Boleat, the chairman of the ALP, says: “The decision of the British government was illogical, contradictory, unjustifiable and possibly contrary to European law.”