FIEC welcomes appointment of MEP Tinagli as Chair of HOUS Special Committee
On 30 January, MEP Irene Tinagli (S&D-Italian) was appointed as Chair of the new HOUS Special Committee (for housing-related matters). During the next 12 months, the HOUS Committee will work on proposing common solutions to the EU housing crisis.
In particular, the Committee will assess the barriers affecting the construction sector, identify financing needs, assess the current legislative framework and map the available supporting technologies.
FIEC welcomed the appointment of Mrs Tinagli and her Vice-Chairs, Dirk Gotink (EPP – Dutch), Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Greens/EFA – Spanish), Ciaran Mullooly (Renew Europe – Irish) and Regina Doherty (EPP – Irish). We are looking forward to closely cooperate with the HOUS Committee in order to provide solutions to solve the current crisis
| FIEC POSITION PAPER |
Social Security Coordination: FIEC and EFBWW support prior notification
Just before the EU Council resumed its work on the coordination of social security at experts’ level, the EU sectoral Social Partners for the construction industry FIEC and EFBWW (European Federation of Builders and Wood Workers) published a joint Press Release, calling once more for applying prior notification to the posting of construction workers, even in the case of short-term posting. This is crucial to protect construction workers and promote fair competition in the construction industry, insisted both social partners.
“FIEC is opposed to any type of temporary exemption to the prior notification of the A1 form for the construction industry. Such exemption would undermine the principle of fair mobility that we promote”, highlighted Domenico Campogrande, FIEC Director General.
While the European Parliament seems to be willing to continue backing this important request from the sector, amongst Member States, some still do not want to take account of the specificities of the construction sector. The EU Polish Presidency is expected to bring the issue at the COREPER meeting planned for mid-February.
| PRESS RELEASE |
Minimum Wage Directive:
A blow for the European Commission?
On 14 January, the news sounded like a bomb in the EU bubble. The Advocate-General of the EU Court of Justice, Nicholas Emiliou, issued an Opinion supporting Denmark’s claim against Directive 2022/2041 of 19 October 2022 on Adequate Minimum Wages in the EU.
Denmark has been seeking for the annulment of this directive, on the grounds that it regulates the area of “pay”, which is expressly outside the competence of the EU (art. 153 par. 5 TFEU). Now that the Advocate-General has endorsed Denmark’s position in his Opinion, it is up to the Court of Justice to swiftly confirm whether the European Commission went beyond its own competences or not. If so, the Minimum Wage Directive, adopted in 2022 (and which was one of the flagship social initiatives of the last Commission, particularly popular among centre-left politicians and trade unions) would be annulled in full.
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Water Resilience:
How contractors address challenges amidst new EU legislation
Water management has become a key priority for Europe’s construction sector, as challenges like water scarcity, excess water, and deteriorating water quality grow more urgent. The construction industry is uniquely positioned to provide innovative solutions, building the resilient infrastructure needed to address these issues and mitigate climate change impacts. In its latest issue, Construction Europe, our media partner, published a full FIEC’s article on this matter.
EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall, responsible for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, is leading efforts with the development of the European Water Resilience Strategy. This strategy aims to strengthen water security across the EU and ensure a sustainable future by addressing water stress and safeguarding water resources for economic and environmental stability. Roswall highlights the need for a transformative approach to water management, emphasising that both water scarcity and excess require urgent action.
The construction sector’s expertise is critical in this transformation. Through sustainable infrastructure and innovative water management solutions, the industry can help reduce strain on water resources and enhance resilience across Europe. However, ensuring the availability of adequate financial resources – through the facilitation of both public and private investments in water infrastructure and its maintenance – remains a critical challenge.
To underline the commitment of the European construction industry to the work of legislators in addressing water stress, excess water, and water quality, FIEC will hold its Annual Conference dedicated to water challenges in May 2025 in Athens (Greece). Discussions will focus on potential solutions and approaches to these issues. And the debate will be extended to EU decision-makers and institutions’ representatives. One of our overall key messages is already clear: the European construction industry has the spirit and capacity to build solutions to provide essential services in tackling water challenges.
Furthermore, FIEC has been among the Ambassadors of the “Water Wise EU” campaign launched by the European Commission (which ran from May to September 2024) to raise awareness of the increasing stress placed on Europe’s water systems and to spotlight the many available solutions to tackle issues related to water.
We build the change together, though Commissioner Roswall’s leadership will be essential in shaping the strategy’s success, with the involvement of all stakeholders. With the right investments and collaboration, the construction industry will play a pivotal role to building a water-resilient future for Europe.
| READ ARTICLE |
EU Parliament’s EMPL Committee adopts resolution on reconstructing processes
On 28 January, the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment (EMPL) adopted a resolution on “Social and employment aspects of restructuring processes: the need to protect jobs and workers’ rights”. This resolution, initiated by MEP Estelle Ceulemans (S&D, Belgium) calls for a Directive for a Just Transition to strengthen democracy at the workplace, in the context of climate change, the digital transformation and corporate restructuring.
The MEPs also stress the need to involve social partners and to reinforce social dialogue and collective bargaining. In the context of the forthcoming revision of the European Public Procurement Directive, they are calling on the European Commission to “further promote collective bargaining and the use of the social clause”. The resolution also mentions the introduction of a right to training.
Finally, it supports the establishment of a “framework directive to address the challenges and complexities associated with employers’ obligations in subcontracting chains and labour intermediaries”. This would include measures to limit subcontracting.
The resolution was adopted with 40 votes in favour, 13 against, and 4 abstentions.
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New Video of the Month:
A conversation with Piero Petrucco and Nina Kreutzman
Watch the interview with FIEC President Piero Petrucco and Nina Kreutzman, President of EFBWW Building Committee.
In their conversation they underline the key strengths of the European Social Dialogue in the construction industry and adress the issue of labour and skills shortages and the forthcoming revision of the EU Public Procurement Directives.
| WATCH the VIDEO |