Building the Union of Skills: Managers in Labour Mobility

The latest Annual Report on Intra-EU Labour Mobility 2024 highlights a stable yet evolving trend in the movement of workers.

With 10.1 million working-age EU citizens residing in another Member State and 976,000 new movers in 2022, mobility remains a cornerstone of European employment dynamics.

However, challenges persist, from housing affordability and social inclusion to recognition of qualifications and labour market integration.

Download the report here [+]

A Stronger Social Dialogue for a Stronger European Labour Market

The European Union has long championed the free movement of workers. Article 45 TFEU underscores the fundamental rights of workers, complementing the free movement of goods, capital, and services within the European single market. It means that any discrimination based on nationality as regards employment, remuneration and other conditions of work and employment is prohibited.

EU workers have the right to accept a job offer made in another EU country, to move freely within the country, to stay for the purpose of employment and to stay on afterwards under certain conditions.

Ensuring that mobility contributes to sustainable employment and economic growth requires cooperation between social partners—trade unions, employer organizations, and policymakers.

Social dialogue is pivotal in bridging the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that mobile workers are protected, their rights are upheld, and businesses benefit from access to diverse talent.

Social partners must do their best to ensure fair working conditions for mobile workers, prevent exploitation and wage dumping, negotiate sectoral agreements that recognize qualifications and promote cross-border job opportunities, and provide legal and social support to workers facing discrimination or bureaucratic challenges in host countries.

Managers and Leaders: A New Era of Labour Mobility

Managers and leaders ensure companies and institutions adapt to evolving mobility trends. With employment rates among EU movers reaching 78%, businesses must strategically integrate mobile workers into their workforces. However, challenges such as recognizing qualifications, inclusion and workforce planning remain.

Employers must work closely with trade unions, public employment services, and educational institutions to create pathways for skills validation, job matching, and lifelong learning.

This will benefit businesses and strengthen social cohesion and economic resilience across the EU.

The Union of Skills initiative is central to shaping a mobility-friendly Europe, ensuring that talent flows match job market needs.

For labour mobility to be a driver of economic prosperity and social justice, all stakeholders—governments, businesses, unions, and policymakers—must collaborate towards harmonized labour policies, better skills recognition, and stronger worker protections.