This week, Commissioners Valdis Dombrovskis (Euro and Social Dialogue) and Jyrki Katainen (Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness) presented the Commission’s roadmap on the future of labour mobility within the EU: They said that the free movement of workers is one of the fundamental freedoms within the EU and had recently come under criticism. It was essential to protect and develop this right.

A Labour Mobility Package, which above all shall include measures to improve the coordination of social security systems and a review of the Posting of Workers Directive, is to be presented before the end of the year. The development of labour mobility should be part of Jean-Claude Juncker's Investment Plan for Europe.

European pillar of social rights

In his State of the Union speech, Commission President Juncker had announced the introduction of a European pillar of social rights, which – initially only in the euro area – should complement the rights of workers and reflect the changed realities in the world of labour. He has promised that social partners would play an integral part during its development. Apart from that, he had come out in favour of a guarantee for the same pay for the same job at the same place.

Dombrovskis declared that the pillar of social rights had to drive forward flexibility and security in the world of work, as well as to raise the standard of education and to improve the adjustment of qualifications to the skill requirements of the labour market. One had to create a process of convergence concentrating on job creation and social conditions, which could also be reflected in the system of the European Semester.

Further information:

Press release of the Commission