FIEC Newsletter – 26 Μαΐου 2026

FIEC is pleased to share the official release of the Mapping Study on Subcontracting Legislation in the Construction Sector, delivered by external expert, SPARK Legal and Policy Consulting.

This report is being produced in the framework of the EU-funded project “DESOCO 3” – Continuation of Decentralised Thematic Social Dialogue for the Construction Industry, coordinated by the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) and in partnership with the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW).

The objective of the DESOCO 3 project is to promote social dialogue in the construction industry and thereby improve working conditions, enhance the overall resilience of the industry and combat labour market fragmentation. This Report contributes to this objective by mapping the national and EU legal frameworks governing subcontracting and the use of temporary work agencies (TWAs) in the construction sector, to highlight similarities, best practices and challenges. The in-depth national analysis covers 10 European Economic Area (EEA) countries, namely Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Norway.

On 19 and 20 May, FIEC attended the 7th Forum on the Posting of Workers, jointly organised by the European Labour Authority (ELA) and the European Commission. This edition focused, amongst others, on the posting of Third-Country National workers, liability rules in the context of cross-border subcontracting, and social ID cards in the construction sector.

The nature and high sectoral relevance of these topics show that the involvement of sectoral social partners, like FIEC, in this Forum is key to ensure that labour mobility rules are properly enforced across the EU, to the benefit of fair competition and fair labour conditions.

FIEC is also a Member of the ELA Stakholders’ Group, advising and informing ELA’s Management Board’s decision.

The BuildSkills Academy Masterclass “The Pact for Skills and what new Skills will drive the Twin Transition?” is just around the corner. Taking place on 18–19 June 2026, the event is co-organised by FIEC and the BuildSkills Academy Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) within the framemork of the EU Green Week.

The Masterclass will bring together industry representatives, training providers, policymakers, and skills experts from across Europe. Discussions will focus on the new skills, competences and learning pathways needed to support a more sustainable and resilient built environement, in line with the Pact for Skills initiative.

Stakeholders interested in joining online the masterclass are warmly invited to register. Wherever you are, you can become part of the conversation.

FIEC warmly congratulates its German member federation, the Hauptverband der Deutschen Bauindustrie (BAUINDUSTRIE), on the election of Olaf Demuth as its new President. Mr Demuth was unanimously elected by the federation’s General Assembly on 7 May 2026, succeeding Peter Hübner, who led the organisation for ten years.

A civil engineer by training, Olaf Demuth brings more than three decades of experience in the construction sector. After beginning his career in 1988 with STRABAG in Hamburg, he held several senior management positions before joining Ed. Züblin AG, where he became a member of the Executive Board in 2013. Since 2017, he has been serving Zech Group SE, where he became member of the Executive Board in 2020. In this role, he oversees the Building division, which includes the sectors of Construction, Civil Engineering, International & Consulting, Technology, Systems, and Environment.

Mr Demuth is also highly experienced in association work. He has been active within the Bauindustrieverband Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein for almost two decades, including ten years as Chairman, and has been a member of the Presidium of BAUINDUSTRIE since 2018.

In his first statement as President, Olaf Demuth underlined the major economic and structural challenges facing the construction industry and stressed the importance of “bringing together all market actors — from large groups to medium-sized companies — in order to successfully manage the sector’s transformation“.

Ricardo Gomes has been appointed President of AICCOPN (Associação dos Industriais da Construção Civil e Obras Públicas), the Portuguese member federation of FIEC, marking the beginning of his mandate at the helm of Portugal’s leading construction industry association.

In this role, he will represent and support the interests of the Portuguese construction and public works sector, while strengthening collaboration with European partners through FIEC. His presidency comes at a crucial time for the industry, as it navigates challenges related to sustainability, workforce development, and economic recovery.

Gomes, CEO Seth S.A. (based in Lisbon), is a recognised figure within the Portuguese construction sector, with extensive experience in industry representation and business leadership. Over the years, he has been actively involved in promoting the competitiveness and modernisation of construction companies in Portugal. His work has focused on fostering innovation, improving regulatory frameworks, and supporting companies in adapting to evolving market demands.

Prior to his appointment as President of AICCOPN, he held key roles within the federation and the broader sector, contributing to policy dialogue and advocacy at both national and European levels. He also served as FIEC Vice-President for Communication, demonstrating charisma and strong engagement with the European construction community.

FIEC warmly congratulates Ricardo Gomes on his appointment, commends his longstanding commitment to the Federation, and wishes him every success in this new role.