The European Commission has proposed a voluntary single digital portal for companies posting workers to other member states to provide cross-border services. This initiative aims to reduce administrative burdens, cut red tape, and harmonize national requirements for posted workers. The introduction of a standard electronic posting declaration and a single digital portal will simplify the process for the approximately five million posted workers in the EU single market. However, stakeholders have different opinions on the added value of this proposal.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) believes that the current proposal misses an opportunity to create a system for the declaration of posted workers that would benefit both employers and labor inspectors. The ETUC emphasizes the importance of ensuring workers’ rights are upheld while recognizing the potential for an e-declaration system to improve cross-border enforcement. On the other hand, business representatives see the EU-wide digital tool as a way to streamline processes, reduce administrative burdens, and improve efficiency within the single market.
Germany, as the largest destination country for posted workers, has long called for a harmonized, single notification system to replace the current 27 separate national systems. The Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA) welcomes the proposal for a single digital portal and believes it will simplify the posting of workers process. The ETUC, however, advocates for a voluntary, standardized e-form that allows for flexibility to meet national needs and improve member state participation.
Posted workers represent a significant portion of EU citizens working abroad, with Germany hosting the largest number of posted workers in 2022. Poland and Italy follow behind, with France, Germany, and Ireland showing substantial increases in posted workers from 2021 to 2022. While the Covid-19 pandemic caused a rise in posted workers across the EU, some countries such as Estonia, Lithuania, and Romania experienced a slight decrease in posted workers during this period.
The profile of posted workers in the EU and EFTA countries indicate that the majority are male, with many originating from Romania, Poland, or Italy. The construction and road freight transport sectors are the most common industries employing posted workers, with an average posting duration of 159 days. The demand for highly skilled workers is particularly high in sectors like ICT, which has seen significant growth in job opportunities in recent years.
In conclusion, the European Commission’s proposal for a single digital portal for posted workers aims to simplify administrative processes, reduce red tape, and harmonize national requirements. While stakeholders have differing opinions on the added value of this initiative, the overall goal is to improve efficiency and facilitate cross-border services for posted workers in the EU single market. By addressing the needs of both employers and workers, the EU aims to create a more streamlined and effective system for the posting of workers within the EU.
