European one-size-fits-all policy against social dumping

Europe must support the Member States in their approach to social dumping instead of setting up new bodies itself. The European Labour Authority announced by European Commissioner for Employment Marianne Thyssen must not be permitted to give itself precedence over the Member States. “The justified tackling of social fraud must not be a fallacy used to set up yet another European agency that offers no added value,” believes MEP Helga Stevens.

Common sense

Every initiative that combats unfair competition against Flemish construction workers and HGV drivers is worthwhile. But centralising the social inspections at European level, as Commissioner Thyssen originally wanted, is not. “Fortunately, she has now shown the necessary common sense, focusing instead on a cooperation between the Member States. Every country must shoulder its own responsibility in the fight against social dumping, in particular the Eastern European countries,” MEP Stevens concludes.