Social Affairs Commission (SOC)

Brief description and main aims:

As underlined in her mission letter, Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, in charge of social rights and skills, quality jobs and preparedness, was tasked with further facilitating labour mobility while ensuring that rules are properly enforced with the support of a strong and empowered European Labour Authority. Furthermore, according to the Letta and Draghi reports, there is room to further modernise, simplify and digitalise social security coordination. Against this background, Roxana Mînzatu announced that she will present a Fair Labour Mobility package in Q2 2026.

According to available information, Mînzatu intends to address the following issues:

• the work and mandate of the European Labour Authority (ELA);

• digitalisation of social security coordination and the launch of the European Social Security Pass (ESSPASS);

• legal clarity on posting of Third-Country National workers;

• abusive practices and frauds in subcontracting chains in risky sectors; and

• automatic recognition of professional qualifications.

Why FIEC is dealing with this topic:

Intra-EU labour mobility has always been a priority topic for the construction industry. Approximately half of the postings within the Internal Market are in construction activities and therefore the related rules and initiatives can have a significant impact for construction companies.

Over the past few years, the posting of Third-Country National workers within the EU has also become a growing phenomenon, which raises FIEC’s attention because of the shortage of EU workers but also because of the higher vulnerability of these workers towards labour exploitation.

The revision process of the existing regulations on Social Security coordination (883/2004 and 987/2009) has been on and off for many years. On this file, FIEC concentrated its efforts on reinforcing the reliability of A1 forms –namely by maintaining mandatory prior notification to the sending Member States before posting workers – and on aligning the proposed changes with those concerning posting, for the sake of easier compliance and enforcement or the rules. As this matter is not making progress, the European Commission concentrated its efforts on the digitalisation of the procedures, with, for instance, the pilot-project for a European Social Security Pass (ESSPASS) and the proposal for a common e-declaration for the posting of workers, which is currently being discussed between the European Parliament and the Council.

Subcontracting has also become a buzz word since the trade unions launched a campaign against it, accusing this business model of all abuses and frauds against construction workers. While the implementation and enforcement of the rules, to the benefit of a fair labour market, is a top priority, FIEC also insists that imposing a limitation of the number of subcontracting tiers at the EU level is not the right way forward.

In short, for the sake of a healthy and mobile construction industry, FIEC is calling for better information to be provided to companies and workers about their rights and duties, better enforcement of the comprehensive set of existing rules – with the help of sectoral social ID cards where they exist – better recognition of professional qualification to facilitate the free movement of workers, and a positive guidance for the recruitment and integration of Third-Country National workers. Moreover, the digitalisation of procedures and data must aim at simplifying’s companies’ life without jeopardising enforcement and controls.

Brief description and main aims:

The construction industry is reporting labour shortages in most of the EU Member States. Labour shortages in construction are now nearly three times the level observed 10 years ago. Added to this labour shortage, construction companies face skills shortage and skills gaps. The European Commission has taking this issue seriously and has proposed several initiatives:

• On 20th March 2024, the European Commission presented a communication on “Labour and Skills shortages in the EU: an Action Plan”. It focuses on five key policy areas for action at EU, national, regional and social partner level: supporting the activation of underrepresented people in the labour market; providing support for skills, training and education; improving working conditions; improving fair intra-EU mobility for workers and learners; attracting talent from outside the EU.

• On 5th March 2025, the European Commission published the Union of Skills. The Union of Skills has 4 key strands: build skills for quality jobs and lives, upskill and reskill, circulate skills with the free movement of people across the EU and attract, develop and retain talent.

• Finally, the European Commission has also proposed a regulation establishing the EU Talent Pool to attract workers from third countries. The proposal targets priority jobs, many of which are in the construction sector.

Why FIEC is dealing with this topic:

The problems of lack of labour and skills shortages in construction are crucial for FIEC. They create difficulties for companies that are seeking to recruit workers and it is the long-term competitiveness of the industry which is at stake.

The issue of labour and skills shortages are also discussed in the framework of the Social Dialogue with EFBWW (European Federation of Builders and Woodworkers) and is addressed in EU projects.

Many of the solutions proposed at EU level are of highest interest for construction companies: recognition of qualification, improving and updating VET (Vocational Education and Training), working conditions, apprenticeships, facilitate intra-EU mobility, entry of third-country nationals on the labour market.

Brief description and main aims:

In her political guidelines for 2024-2029, European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, who was then candidate for a second term at the head of the European Commission, announced a comprehensive Quality Jobs Roadmap, which will focus on supporting fair wages, high standards for health and safety, good working conditions and fair job transitions.

The roadmap will take the form of a Commission Communication focusing on three pillars:

• Fair working conditions

• Digitalisation

• Fair transitions

The initiative is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025. The European Commission also announced a Quality Jobs Act for 2026 but the outlines are still unclear. 

Why FIEC is dealing with this topic:

The Quality Jobs Roadmap announced by Ursula von der Leyen will touch upon many topics that are priorities for FIEC and its member federations. In the Communication, the Commission can announce several initiatives, legislative or not, that will be relevant for construction such as on health and safety at work (psychosocial risks, the impact of climate change, …), Artificial Intelligence (AI) at work, subcontracting, labour mobility, …). Trade unions are calling for new regulations on many topics such as a Directive on Just Transition in the world of work, Regulation for Labour intermediaries and limiting subcontracting or a European Directive preventing psychosocial risks and online harassment and shaming at work. If FIEC recognises the challenges at the workplace, FIEC believes that the focus should be on the implementation of existing legislations and the support to companies and social partners rather than adopting new EU regulations.

Brief description and main aims:

Despite the overall reduction in the number of work-related accidents and illnesses, statistics clearly indicate that construction is still among the sectors needing further improvement. Good occupational safety and health is a top priority for the European Commission.

OSH covers many topics and FIEC follows in particular:

• Asbestos

• The revisions of the carcinogen, mutagen and reprotoxic substances directive (CMRD) (respirable crystalline silica, lead, PAHs, …)

• Workplace directive and display screen equipment directive

In addition, FIEC deals with the new risks identified by the European:

• Psychosocial risks and mental health

• The impact of climate change on OSH (heat, …)

• The use of digital tools

FIEC also contributes to the activities of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) and participates in its prevention campaigns aimed at promoting healthy workplaces. The campaign 2026-2028 will focus on mental health and psychosocial risks at work in ‘new and overlooked occupational groups, sectors and areas’.

Why FIEC is dealing with this topic:

Improving OSH in construction is a priority for the industry. The Framework Directive 89/391/EEC sets out the employers’ obligation to ensure the safety and health of workers at the workplace. Employers have the obligation to carry out a comprehensive risk assessment, for all types of risks. A safe work environment contributes also in improving the image of the sector and in retaining and attracting workers.

However, the measures proposed by the European Commission should remain realistic for construction companies to comply with. Any new legislation at EU level should have a thorough impact assessment which takes into account the costs and benefits of new measures. This is key to provide inputs to the European stakeholders from the construction companies perspectives.

Finally, social partners at national level are already addressing several aspects of OSH in taking national specificities into account.