The European Commission's presentation on Tuesday 13 March of the "social fairness" package, and the creation of the European Labour Authority (ELA), provoked a generally positive response from MEPs.
Élisabeth Morin-Chartier MEP (EPP, France), co-rapporteur on the posted workers directive that is currently in inter-institutional discussions (see EUROPE 11972), stated: “this is a necessary step towards a social Europe that has the means to support its ambition”. She considers that the ELA should play the role of a “transmission belt” to ensure respect for European rules on workers' mobility. The MEP also issued a warning against any attempt to transform this authority into a simple exchange platform between national experts.
The S&D Group also welcomed the social fairness package as a step towards a more social Europe and better protection of workers' rights. Agnes Jongerius (Netherlands), the co-rapporteur, said that with regard to the directive on posted workers a “strong” authority should be set up with a "robust" mandate, particularly for at-risk sectors. She highlighted the role the trade unions could play in the advisory group as a means of providing support to the ELA.
Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, France) also welcomed the initiative by the European Commission, particularly with regard to the fact that the ELA covers international transport, and she pointed out that in the past she had appealed for a road transport authority to be set up.
One discordant note, however, was expressed during the plenary session by Helga Stevens (ECR, Belgium), who hammered home the fact that “the creation of expensive European agencies cannot be an objective in and of itself. We need to be vigilant about mission creep where the Union gradually takes over the power of the member states”.
Social partners satisfied but misgivings from BusinessEurope
The secretary general of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Luca Visentini, stated that a European Labour Authority “is clearly needed to combat cross-border social fraud”. He also said that it must be about protecting workers and not just another internal market tool.
The UEAPME, which represents SMEs, was unwavering in its support for the Commission proposal, which it believed would help tackle fraud in the area of social security. The organisation did not, however, publish any press release but tweeted doubts about the initiative, particularly with regard to the mediation mechanism.
On Tuesday 13 March, the European Commission presented a regulation setting up a European Labour Authority, as well as recommendations to the member states to improve access to social protection for atypical workers (see EUROPE 11980). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)