Conference: Reframing industrial relations

SOLIDAR and FEPS co-organised the final conference of the project “Making Industrial Relations work for Decent Work” where a recommendations booklet was launched. Participants agreed that to improve the situation there is the need for an EU licensing system for recruitment agencies and gangmasters which sets clear labour standards (on working hours, social security contributions..) and an EU-level platform of labour inspections to foster cooperation, information exchange and sharing best practices.

Debate focused on the erosion of the classical employer-employee relationship substituted by a complex system of three or more parties, including temporary workers agencies, workers and companies. A representative from Manpower affirmed that “international recruitment is not a cheap solution” and this means guaranteeing decent working conditions and respect of collective bargaining agreements.A full report will be released soon.