REC: EU must do more to create jobs – Brookson

The European Union (EU) agenda for the next parliament must be ‘jobs, jobs and more jobs’, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

In a statement ahead of next month’s election, the body claimed more must be done to improve employment across the continent.

The REC disseminated a policy briefing to the UK’s 59 MEPs who are seeking re-election, explaining that the right conditions must exist for businesses to expand and grow their workforce.

This includes both permanent and temporary staff, such as contractors.

According to the REC, private businesses are already doing what they can to help get Europe back to work and the EU must ensure it supports the sector in its endeavours.

Consequently, there are four key areas that should be prioritised by the incoming parliament, the body claimed.

Firstly, barriers to service sector growth should be broken down by extending the EU Services Directive. “There are still far too many regional and national differences that prevent business growth in Europe,” the REC explained, citing how Italy currently requires agencies to create offices in all four regions, while other nations have a nationality or residency requirement.

The body is therefore not surprised that a Eurobarometer survey revealed only eight per cent of SMEs are currently involved in cross-border activities.

By reforming the EU Services Directive and expanding it to include recruitment agencies, the REC believes the continent will take an important first step towards addressing disparity.

The REC claims “effective labour market strategies” must also be pushed forwards, while a review of restrictions on agency work should take place in accordance with the aims of the EU Agency Workers Directive.

When introduced, the European Commission claimed the directive would ensure equal treatment for temporary staff and encourage national governments to review restrictions on temporary workers.

However, little change has yet to be had and employers are still unable to access flexible labour as quickly as they need to in order to respond to market conditions.

The REC has called on the incoming parliament to “fully implement Clause 4” and to ensure all nations follow the directive in the way the UK has.

Furthermore, the body wants MEPs to promote an “open and dynamic European labour market” by ensuring effective enforcement of the EU Posting of Workers Directive and the expansion of the EURES scheme.

This will help to facilitate worker mobility, which is such a crucial tenet of EU integration.

Meanwhile, youth employment and labour market inclusion must be championed through the sharing of best practice. Careers guidance and vocational training can help with this, while simultaneously addressing the skills shortage.

Greater awareness of EU initiatives is also needed, according to the REC.

The body isn’t the only organisation hoping for change on the continent over the coming years.

In order to reap the benefits of reshoring, the Confederation of British Industry claims the EU needs to become more competitive in a bid to entice businesses back to its shores.

Research has shown that 60 per cent of senior business leaders in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and The Netherlands consider EU reform crucial to improving legislation and making the continent an attractive destination.