Key Figures
10.1 million
EU citizens aged 18–64 live in another EU country
1.8 million
workers cross EU borders for work approximately
4
The real median hourly wage in Denmark is 4 times higher than in Bulgaria
Do not neglect collective rights
FH supports the free movement of labour – but it must not come at the expense of decent working conditions. It should not be possible to compete by undercutting fair labour standards or compromising on occupational health and safety.
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Trade union and collective rights must carry the same weight as the EU’s economic freedoms. The right to organise, the right to collective bargaining, and the right to take collective action are just as important as the right to free movement.
FH therefore wishes to use the Danish Presidency to focus on ensuring free and fair mobility across the EU.
Although free and fair mobility is one of the EU’s great strengths, significant challenges remain across member states.
Large disparities in wages and living conditions across the EU mean that many people seek work in countries with better conditions. At the same time, tasks are increasingly being relocated from the Nordic countries to countries without collective agreements or strong trade union representation.
Equal treatment for workers – regardless of where they come from
In the long term, it is essential to raise and align living conditions across the EU. But action is also needed now. Far too often, we see mobile workers employed on terms and wages that fall well below normal Danish standards. This is particularly evident in construction, transport, agriculture, and the food sector.
FH therefore calls for the prevention of social dumping – where workers are exploited and wages and working conditions are pushed down – to be a key focus during the Danish EU Presidency whenever EU legislation is discussed.
We must ensure that free movement goes hand in hand with fair and decent working conditions. This will be especially important when potential negotiations on future EU enlargement begin.
Labour clauses in public procurement
Fair mobility should be a key consideration in the upcoming revision of the Public Procurement Directive.
This directive defines the framework for which requirements public authorities must or may set when contracting private companies to build, for example, hospitals and schools.
Although authorities can currently include social criteria, lowest price often remains the decisive factor in awarding contracts.
A 2023 report from the European Parliament (LINK) showed that in over half of EU member states, price alone determined the outcome of most public tenders.
Based on FH’s experience, when price is not linked to labour clauses, it encourages “abnormally low offers” – bids that fall far short of what is needed to ensure compliance with prevailing wages and working conditions.
FH is therefore advocating for the upcoming revision of the directive to support the use of labour clauses that safeguard respect for collective agreements and ensure fair wages and working conditions.
We also call for stronger enforcement mechanisms and tougher consequences if the rules are not followed.
In addition, FH will push for the introduction of a European labour ID card for mobile workers.
