Greens/EFA welcome Commission initiative for faster recognition of skills across borders

Today, the European Commission published its Fair Labour Mobility Package, which aims at improving the portability of skills across borders. The Greens/EFA Group welcomes this initiative. 

MEP Maria Ohisalo, Greens/EFA coordinator of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, comments: 

“Europe cannot build a real single market if many workers still hit a wall the moment they cross a border. A teacher, nurse, electrician or engineer who is qualified in one Member State should not have to spend months proving again what they already know and can do. 

“People moving within the EU must have their skills recognised, their rights protected and their social security guaranteed. Faster and simpler recognition of qualifications would make a real difference in people’s daily lives. It would help workers move where they are needed, help employers fill shortages and doesn’t leave trained people stuck in paperwork. Europe cannot afford to waste talent. The mandate of the European Labour Authority must be strengthened, and labour exploitation must be tackled more forcefully across Europe. ”