EPSCO Council agreed on a general approach on a EU platform against undeclared work
Poletti: “Glad that during the Italian Presidency the Council reached an agreement”
The EPSCO Council today agreed a general approach on a decision establishing a Platform to improve cooperation at EU level in order to prevent and deter undeclared work more effectively .
The Italian minister Giuliano Poletti declared: "Undeclared work unfortunately represents a widespread phenomenon which has a negative impact on workers, businesses and governments. I am glad that, during the Italian Presidency, the Council reached an agreement on the proposal for establishing a European Platform to tackle undeclared work”.
The proposal envisages the mandatory participation of all member states in the Platform and a nonexhaustive list of initiatives the Platform can carry out. At the same time, Council's general approach ensures that the member states would remain competent to decide on their level of involvement in the Platform's initiatives. Member states could also decide what measures to take at national level to give effect to the outcomes of these initiatives, depending on their own priorities and needs in the prevention and deterrence of undeclared work.
The Platform's tasks would include analysing policy measures taken until now, developing knowledge banks on different measures, and developing tools and handbooks for member states' cooperation. The nature of undeclared work varies from one country to another, as well as the measures to tackle it. The Platform would allow the member states to learn from each other and would also give them the tools to join forces, where necessary, in curbing undeclared work.
This general approach will be the Council's basis for negotiations with the European Parliament.
For more information see: Council of the EU