Ryanair has been accused of imposing working conditions on Belgian cabin crew that violate Belgian law.
Belgian aerospace and engineering union CNE said it will launch court action against Ryanair next month and against cabin-crew recruitment company Crewlink.
The union alleges Ryanair crew face wage deductions of euro30 (£26) a month to pay for uniforms, that they do not receive sick pay, are not allowed to live more than an hour’s travelling time from the airport where they are based and that they can be fired with “little notice”.
A CNE official said the union would seek to have staff contracts amended in line with Belgian employment law.
Ryanair dismissed the accusations, saying there was “no truth” to them. A Ryanair spokesman told Irish broadcaster RTE: “Ryanair employees receive an annual uniform allowance of euro325 (£288) per annum, out of which they pay for their uniforms.”
The carrier insists its staff contracts in Belgium conform with Irish law.
It is not the first time Ryanair has been taken to court in the European Union over allegations it has breached local legislation.
Ryanair lost a case in France early this year, compelling it to employ staff in Marseille on French contracts rather than on Irish employment terms. The defeat led Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary to close the carrier’s maintenance base at the airport.