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EFBWW News

EFBWW and FIEC joint letter to Polish Presidency on Prior Notification 883

18/12/2024

Dear Ambassador,

We are writing to you on behalf of the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) and the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC), the European social partners representing the workers and employers of the construction sector.

As Poland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the new year with a focus on security – including economic security – we would like to address the ongoing negotiations on the revision of the coordination of social security regulations (Regulation No 883/2004 and Regulation No 987/2009). These regulations are essential to safeguard workers’ rights and ensuring fair competition across the EU’s Internal Market, particularly in sectors as exposed to fraud as construction.

The construction sector is one of the most significant parts of the European economy. But, it is also one of the most sensitive to economic and social fraud, which threatens the sustainability of the sector. For this reason, we feel that it is necessary to underline the sector’s deep concern about the proposed exemptions to prior notification requirements for short posting periods and business trips, which could undermine the integrity of inspections and weaken protections for workers.

Such exemptions create potential loopholes that could be exploited by bad actors, leading to unfair competition, workers without social security coverage and a loss of trust in the effectiveness of EU social protections. These risks are incompatible with the objectives of economic security and social cohesion that the Polish Presidency has identified as priorities.

We, the recognised social partners of the construction industry in the EU, urge you to take note of the joint statement from 2021 and call on you to:

• Exclude the construction sector from any exemptions to prior notification, including for short posting periods and business trips, and
• Ensure authorities have access to accurate information about cross-border workers in construction for the efficacy of inspections and to protect workers’ rights.

Ending the deadlock and concluding the revision of these regulations will strengthen social security coordination rules, better guarantee economic security and ensure that the future of the EU’s
construction sector is both sustainable and fair.

We appreciate your leadership on this matter and remain at your disposal to support the Presidency in finding an outcome that protects workers in this industry.
Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to your response.