Proposal for establishing a European Labour Authority - a BusinessEurope position paper

Key messages

European business strongly supports initiatives supporting a better functioning of the single market, including free movement of workers. Geographic mobility in the EU provides employment opportunities to job seekers, and reduces the pressure deriving from growing skills shortages across Europe.
BusinessEurope supports policy makers’ efforts to combat fraud in cross-border situations. However, we have doubts that the setting up of a European Labour Authority is an efficient and cost effective way of achieving this. Streamlining existing structures was possible without creating a new agency.
The use of European resources should focus on providing information and advice to help European companies and workers understand what rules apply to them in cross-border situations. BusinessEurope asks for the setting up of an EU ‘help desk’ to assist moving companies and workers.

The provision of reliable, easily accessible, up to date information by the Commission in all languages for companies, especially SMEs, wishing to post employees cross border avoiding duplication and reducing bureaucracy and administrative burdens for companies.
A competitive and productive Europe in which the conditions for mobility are improved as part of a well-functioning Single Market.
Improved transparency of labour mobility opportunities, rights and obligations through enhancing information provision to workers and employers, and strengthening cooperation between Member States.
The effective application of existing rights and obligations in the area of cross-border mobility, taking into account the role played by social partners in the different national industrial relations systems.