Schmit: “Subcontracting a challenge for labor. We want national maps”

Brussels – The European Commission wants to revise the subcontracting policy, which provides too much room for practices that are difficult to control. The political commitment is there, assures Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Labor and Social Affairs, answering a question on the subject. Just as there is awareness within the College of Commissioners of practices that are often too ‘sly’ and therefore subject to intervention. “The Commission takes note of the challenges related to subcontracting. It intends to work with the European Employment Authority to map subcontracting liability in member states.”

Schmit offers no further details but hints that the Commission will do what it can while respecting purely national competencies. “It is the responsibility of Member States to ensure the proper functioning of national social dialogue as well as a correct application of national provisions and fundamental rights” in labor matters, he recalls.

The EU executive’s willingness to take on the issue of subcontracting, however, demonstrates the will to respond to the demands of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), which, in its policy document for a new labor market published in June, in point 9 specifically urged combating the practice of ‘easy’ subcontracting’ and to limit its use in the name of more guarantees and fairness.