The European Union is suing Germany and Italy for allegedly discriminating against migrant workers

The European Commission has decided to take Germany and Italy to the European Court of Justice to protest against discrimination against migrant workers.

Both Germany and Italy have introduced family allowances in recent years, but some groups of workers receive less than others, Reuters reported.

In Italy, workers must live in the country for at least two years to qualify for the benefit; In Germany, the allowance is smaller if a worker's child lives in an EU country where the cost of living is lower.

"One of the fundamental principles of the European Union is equal treatment without distinction on the basis of nationality," the European Commission said in a statement Thursday.

"In accordance with the basic principles, EU mobile workers pay into the social security system in the same way, pay the same taxes as local workers and are entitled to the same social security benefits," the statement said.

Under EU regulations, workers have the right to move freely and work anywhere within the EU without discrimination in employment, remuneration and other work and conditions of employment on the basis of nationality.