The Construction Voice - Posting of workers - Circular economy - Construction Products Regulation

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European Builders Confederation
April 2016 Newsletter

EPSCO Council: Posting of workers should be based on fair competition

The European Construction Social Partners were invited for the first time to the Employment and Social Affairs (EPSCO) informal Council, held in Amsterdam last week. Labour mobility and posting of workers were the main topics. Both EBC and UEAPME addressed the Ministers.

The lower salary of posted workers should not be the main competitive advantage for posting. The revision could finally tackle this situation where many construction firms are losing jobs because of unfair competition and social dumping.

EBC and trade union representatives from ETUC and EFBWW discussed potential common ground for cooperation at the EPSCO.

Read the press release
Read the speech of the EBC President Patrick Liébus before the EPSCO MInisters (only in French)

Friday 24 June 2016 | 9.00-13.30
European Economic and Social Committee - Brussels

SAVE THE DATE!

EBC adopts its position paper on circular economy

The European Builders Confederation EBC adopted its position paper on the Circular Economy Package, unveiled by the European Commission on 2 December 2015

As the construction sector contributes for around 35% to waste generation, small and medium construction companies take sustainability issues very seriously.

EBC encourages action to reduce the production of waste and to promote sorting, reuse and recycling whenever this is technically feasible and cost-effective.

Construction Products Regulation: main concerns from construction SMEs should not be overlooked

The European Commission will report on the implementation of the Construction Products Regulation before this summer. As Small Business Standards (SBS) and EBC represent both manufacturers and users of construction products, they discussed their suggestions with CEN-CENELEC.

The two main messages concern the de facto compulsory use of harmonised standards and the role of New Approach Consultants.

SBS has already provided its opinion on this matter in its position paper called Quality Initiative for Construction Standardisation.

Read more...

Reduced VAT rates discussed in Croatia

Croatia is one of the EU countries which does not apply reduced VAT rates for the renovation of private housing.

This is why the Croatian Chamber of Craftsmen (HOK) has invited EBC to its annual construction meeting to talk about the benefits of reduced VAT rates for the construction sector.

Read more...

Improving the image of the construction sector

Sarah McMonagle from our UK’s member Federation of Master Builders (FMB) was invited at the Construction 2020 High Level Forum to talk about how to improve the image of the sector.

She explained FMB and EBC's initiatives to increase the confidence in builders and attract apprentices to the sector.

Read more...

The Construction Voice is EBC's monthly newsletter that features facts, positions and decisions about EU policy impacting construction micro-enterprises and SMEs.

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