The European Union has chosen the Slovak capital Bratislava to host the headquarters of the new European Labour Authority beating the capitals of Cyprus (Nicosia), Bulgaria (Sofia), and Latvia (Riga) to the post.
The choice of Bratislava was made during a vote on the margins of the Council of European Ministers of Employment today in Luxembourg.
“I congratulate the city of Bratislava and the government of Slovakia for being chosen to host the seat of the European Labour Authority,” said Employment Commissioner Marianne Thyssen, welcoming the decision.
Announced two years ago, the new body aims to help Member States implement EU measures in the areas of labour mobility within the Union, especially with regard to posted workers, and better coordinate national social security systems.
The Authority will also facilitate joint inspections between Member States. According to data from the European institutions, nearly 17 million Europeans live or work in a Member State other than their own, a number that has doubled in ten years.
“From the start of my mandate, I have made fair labour mobility a key priority,” Thyssen said. “Free movement boosts growth, helps businesses find the skills they need and gives everyone the opportunity to make the best use of their talents – but it needs to be well managed. This requires rules that are fair, clear and effectively enforced. The European Labour Authority is the jewel in the crown of this work. It will support labour mobility and give EU Member States the tools they need to cooperate more effectively and fight abuse.”
The new Authority will be up and running in 2019 and will operate at full capacity by 2024.
