As a part of the Social Fairness Package, the European Commission adopted yesterday their legislative proposal for setting up the European Labour Authority (ELA). Following the presentation, CEEP General Secretary Valeria Ronzitti commented:

“As representatives of public services and SGI employers, CEEP welcomes the ambition of the European Commission to increase the quality of information available for employers and workers on applicable labour rules. The proposed ELA, if properly set up and managed, has the potential to empower fair European labour mobility, and support making it a reality for more EU citizens. It should also contribute to more concerted and better cooperation between labour inspectorates, especially across the borders.”

“For those positive results to be achieved, we believe that a very special attention should be given to respect national social partners’ roles and responsibilities. It is particularly the case in Member States where social partners have competences and a role in supervising the functioning of labour markets. We therefore look forward to play an active role in the European Advisory Group to advise and assist on the functioning of the ELA.”
 

On the second building block of the Social Fairness Package, the European Commission brought forward a proposal on access to social protection for workers and the self-employed. Valeria Ronzitti commented:

“CEEP members see ensuring a high level of social protection and addressing persisting social inequalities in Member States as a core objective of the EU and a central element of its cohesion. Social protection facilitates adaptation to changes in the labour market, tackles poverty and social exclusion, secures labour market integration and allows for investment in human resources.”

“Each Member State has developed over the years different labour market and social models: coordination processes and mutual learning should be highlighted and remain key elements. As proposed, a Council Recommendation should offer sufficient margins of manoeuvre to Member States and would help steer further actions within the European Semester in a similar direction. Convergence, via the European Semester and the Open Method of Coordination, should be the right way moving forward.”
 

For further information, please contact:
Maxime STAELENS, Communication Officer
Email: maxime.staelens@ceep.eu
Tel.: + 32(0) 2 229 21 40
Website: www.ceep.eu

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CEEP, European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public Services and SGI, is one of the three general cross-sectoral European Social Partners. It gathers public and private providers of services of general interest from across Europe. CEEP members contribute to more than 26% of EU GDP and employ 30% of the EU workforce.