EPP Group determined to fight against social dumping

The EPP Group today supported a Report on the fight against social dumping in the European Union. The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs adopted certain measures on how to fight and prevent social dumping in the EU. Members also managed to agree on a common definition of social dumping which should be understood as “intended abusive practices or circumvention of existing European and national legislation (...) enabling the development of unfair competition by unlawfully minimising labour and operation costs and leading to the violation of workers’ rights and their exploitation”. In other words, social dumping means illegal practices.

The EPP Group is determined to fight any cases of abuse and circumvention of the existing rules, be it European or national. Danuta Jazłowiecka MEP

“Social dumping is a fiercely debated topic in many Member States. However, the lack of a universally-shared definition has led to misunderstandings and misperceptions. Therefore, the agreement we reached today is of key importance. We are sending a strong signal to our citizens that the EPP Group is determined to fight any cases of abuse and circumvention of the existing rules, be it European or national”, said Danuta Jazłowiecka MEP, Vice-Chair of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee and EPP Group negotiator on this dossier.

The adopted Report looks at real cases of social dumping such as undeclared work, letter-box companies or bogus self-employment. According to the Employment Committee, Member States and the European Commission should focus on the better enforcement of existing rules, more strengthened and efficient cooperation between national competent authorities as well as the identification and elimination of existing legal loopholes.