On January 25, a conference was held under the Belgian Presidency of the EU to enhance the European Labour Authority (ELA)'s work and assess its effectiveness. The European Parliament had previously revised the ELA mandate on January 18, 2024.
The ELA aids EU Member States and the European Commission in managing labour mobility. Issues arise from labour abuses affecting employees, employers, and Member States, leading to tax and social model losses. Enhanced Member State cooperation and joint inspections by the ELA are vital to address these challenges.
Information provision is a significant ELA focus, addressing the widespread confusion about rights and regulations among companies and employees. In preparation for the formal ELA evaluation in summer 2024, Belgian authorities shared their experiences with Commissioner Schmit, highlighting the importance of mobility for combating workforce shortages and the need for regulatory updates, especially for third-country nationals.
Researchers Frederic De Wispelaere and Lynn De Smedt from HIVA KU Leuven assessed the ELA's role in the INFO-POW project, emphasizing the need for comprehensive information access in labour mobility, particularly in the construction sector. They recommend enhancing information services for various stakeholders and integrating different information channels.
De Wispelaere noted the ELA's potential in combating social dumping and suggested improvements across enforcement areas: prevention, detection, control, sanctioning, and collection. The European Parliament supports expanding the ELA's mandate for fairer labour mobility, including better cooperation with national authorities and social partners, addressing third-country national mobility, and ensuring adequate resources for effective enforcement and staff development.