Outlook

Solid working conditions are an important competitive factor. If Europe wants to secure its prosperity, it must be able to guarantee them. Especially regarding foreign workers, on whom an ageing Europe is heavily dependent. However, legal regulations are not enough; we must also ensure that they are enforced. This also includes ensuring that the responsible authorities conduct effective controls and impose sanctions to combat criminal behaviour and precarious working conditions, thereby protecting Europe’s values.

Forces must be pooled and cooperation – including cross-border cooperation – must be ensured whenever the authorities in the member states find themselves unable to cope. The ELA has been established as a European agency that can play a valuable role in combating social dumping and undeclared work. We need the necessary political will if we want to credibly combat exploitation. Valid and comparable data about postings could make political action more transparent and effective. Last but not least, working people – whether they are behind wheels, in slaughterhouses or on construction sites – must be advised and supported. The multilingual assistance and counselling services created by the trade unions in recent years show that this can be achieved.