EU: Council can’t reach agreement on the protection of posted workers

The draft directive aiming to improve application of Directive 96/71 on the posting of workers came back to the discussion table during the meeting of European Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs organized yesterday, October 15, in Luxembourg.  The Lithuanian Presidency of the Council did “all it could” to adopt a general framework.  However, in spite of heated debates, the Member States are still divided into two groups because of the key points of the European Commission’s proposal, on the open character of the list of national control measures and the special measures designed to ensure that subcontractors respect the relevant working conditions for posted workers.  The possibility that no compromise will be reached before the end of this legislative term, which indefinitely postpone the adoption of this text – though necessary to combat social dumping – is increasingly likely.  (Ref.  130623)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

The principle of open list is still rejected. Before the meeting, the delegations had prepared several alternatives in order to reach a general agreement on the bill, which aims to overcome the lack of application of the current directive, because of which abuses and fraud are soaring. The last compromise that ended up on the Council’s table helped move a few friction lines. The type of control measures wouldn’t be limited, since the “open list” option, giving the Member States the possibili

…
Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: Bayer puts female health and inclusive parenthood at the centre of its equality policy
In a new agreement on gender equality highlighted by mind RH, Bayer commits to strengthening its parenthood policy. Furthermore, the company is anticipating pay transparency and introducing...
25 September 2026
UK: Government introduces unpaid bereavement leave following a miscarriage
The news. On 22 September, the UK government confirmed the introduction of up to two weeks of unpaid leave in the event of pregnancy loss before the 24th week, in its response to the open...
25 September 2026
France: EDF served formal notice for failure to comply with its sustainability due diligence obligations
The news. On 23 September, Greenpeace France announced that it had served EDF with a formal notice for failure to comply with its sustainability due diligence obligations due to the risks of harm...
24 September 2026
Austria: National Council adopts tax bonus for post-retirement work 
The News. The Austrian National Council (lower house of parliament) passed an active retirement law (Aktivpension) on 23 September. The text introduces a tax allowance of up to €1,250 per...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
France: Cabinet adopts pay transparency bill
After several months of delay beyond the European deadline of 7 June 2026, French Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou finally presented the bill transposing the Pay Transparency Directive to the...
10 September 2026
2
Germany: IG Metall demands 5% pay rise amid severe pressure
Despite the crisis hitting the automotive industry, the leadership of the German trade union IG Metall announced on Wednesday 23 September that it would be asking for a 5% pay increase as well as...
23 September 2026
3
Italy: Crédit Agricole introduces a handbook on managerial behaviour
The document adopted in mid-July by Crédit Agricole Italia and the main banking trade unions goes beyond the proper use of meetings and emails. This six-point handbook aims to foster constructive...
3 September 2026
4
Slovakia: 6% increase in the minimum wage from 1 January 2027
The news. As Slovakia’s social partners failed to reach an agreement during tripartite negotiations, Labour Minister Erik Tomas has decided to increase the minimum wage by 6% from 1 January...
1 September 2026
5
Spain: government revisits its draft decree on salary transparency
The Spanish Ministry of Labour has opened a consultation on the transposition of the European directive on salary transparency and the reduction of the gender pay gap. This decision follows a...
8 September 2026
6
EU: Commission proposes a list of worker-related criteria for public procurement
The news. On 9 September, the European Commission published a proposal for a regulation aimed at unifying European public procurement law, which accounts for 15% of European GDP. It is notably set...
17 September 2026