CESI adopts position on the forthcoming Fair Labour Mobility Package

Welcoming the European Commission’s intention to strengthen the framework for labour mobility in Europe, CESI calls for a rights-based approach that promotes fair mobility, protects workers and reinforces social Europe.

Labour mobility is one of the fundamental freedoms of the European Union and an important pillar of the Single Market. However, CESI stresses that mobility can only be sustainable and publicly accepted if it is accompanied by strong social protections, effective enforcement of labour rights and equal treatment for all workers.

The European Commission’s planned package is expected to include three key initiatives: strengthening the European Labour Authority (ELA), establishing a European Social Security Pass (ESSPASS), and improving skills portability and recognition of qualifications across the EU.

“Labour mobility should contribute to quality employment, improved matching of skills and labour market needs, and stronger European cohesion. It must never become a vehicle for social dumping, exploitation or the weakening of labour standards,” the position paper states.

CESI acknowledges that labour and skills shortages affect many sectors across Europe, including healthcare, social services, transport, education, construction and public administration. However, the CESI also underlines that labour mobility alone cannot solve these challenges.

The most sustainable response remains improving working conditions, increasing the attractiveness of professions, investing in education and training, strengthening occupational safety and health, and ensuring adequate work-life balance. Workers are more likely to remain in essential sectors when employment is secure, fairly paid and socially valued.

For this reason, CESI argues that the Fair Labour Mobility Package should complement broader European policies on skills development, social protection, mental health at work, collective bargaining and labour market resilience.

A key element of CESI’s position concerns the future role of the European Labour Authority. Since its establishment, ELA has contributed significantly to improving cooperation between Member States and supporting cross-border enforcement. Nevertheless, increasingly complex labour markets, platform work and cross-border subcontracting require stronger operational capacities.

CESI calls for a reinforced ELA mandate that would enable more effective joint inspections, closer cooperation between labour inspectorates and social security institutions, stronger action against undeclared work and labour exploitation, and enhanced protection for vulnerable and mobile workers.

CESI also emphasises the need for greater involvement of trade unions and social partners in ELA’s governance and operational activities, recognising their crucial role in identifying abusive practices and improving enforcement.

CESI supports the development of a European Social Security Pass (ESSPASS) as part of the modernisation of social security coordination across Europe. A well-designed system could reduce administrative burdens, facilitate access to social protection rights and improve transparency for workers moving across borders.

However, CESI stresses that digitalisation must remain inclusive and worker-centred. ESSPASS should simplify procedures without excluding workers who face digital barriers, language difficulties or limited access to technology. Human support services and non-digital alternatives must remain available where necessary.

CESI also insists on strong safeguards for personal data, full compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and clear limitations on how workers’ information can be accessed and used.

The position paper welcomes efforts to improve the portability and recognition of skills and qualifications across the EU. Better recognition procedures can help address labour shortages, improve labour market matching and facilitate mobility for workers.

At the same time, CESI underlines that skills portability must support quality employment rather than undermine professional standards. Recognition mechanisms should never be used to lower qualification requirements, weaken occupational safety standards or contribute to brain drain in regions already facing workforce shortages.

CESI advocates faster and more transparent recognition procedures, improved portability of vocational education and training credentials, and greater recognition of competences acquired through work experience, apprenticeships and lifelong learning.

Across all three initiatives, CESI highlights the importance of involving all trade unions and recognized social partners in the design, implementation and monitoring of labour mobility policies. Effective social dialogue is essential to ensure that mobility remains fair, transparent and beneficial for workers, employers and society as a whole.

Read the full position paper here.

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