Essential workers rally in Brussels for better pay and conditions through EU procurement reform

BRUSSELS, 1 October 2024 – Today, 1,000 essential workers – cleaners, security guards and food service employees – from nine European countries rallied in Brussels, demanding that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen act to improve pay and conditions for millions of workers through procurement reform. Workers, trade union leaders and members of the European Parliament condemned the “race to the bottom” caused by the EU’s current procurement rules, which prioritise the lowest price at the expense of workers’ well-being.

“My job is very important for the safety of the people. But my salary is far too low for the cost of living”, said security worker Youssef B. “What I want is to be able to offer the best service to my customers and have a decent life for myself and my family. So the rules at European level need to change, so that my colleagues and I can finally get good working conditions!”

“Over the course of my 20-year career in the European Parliament, I’ve worked for 11 different bosses, changing employer every 4 years. Today, I’m taking to the streets because my future is uncertain. We need stability and fairness, not a constant race to the bottom,” said contract catering worker in the European Parliament Najib M.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged a revision of the EU Public Procurement Directive in the Commission’s new mandate, a mission entrusted to Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné.

The rally came one day after an open letter from over 100 leading economists around the world, including Thomas Piketty and Isabella Weber, calling for “a reform of the EU public procurement rules that strengthens collective bargaining and improves working conditions in labour-intensive sectors such as cleaning, security and food services”.

The economists argue that “current procurement practices – with their dominant focus on the lowest price in tenders – create market conditions that allow bidders to disregard social criteria”. This “marginalises other critical factors, such as labour rights and fair working conditions, which are essential for sustainable economic growth and good jobs”. The signatories recall that “collective bargaining and union rights are a fundamental pillar of equitable labour markets”.

UNI Europa research shows that half of all public tenders across the EU are awarded solely based on the lowest price, often due to procurement rules. These rules overlook the social costs to communities and undermine Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s promise of quality jobs, quality services and increasing collective bargaining coverage to “support fair wages, good working conditions, training and fair job transitions for workers”.

Oliver Roethig, Regional Secretary of trade union federation UNI Europa said: “We know from essential workers about the pervasive low-wages and social precarity created by the EU’s current procurement rules. These problems are the same everywhere across Europe. They are caused by bad EU regulation and therefore need an EU-wide solution. That is why we are calling on Ursula von der Leyen to turn its promise of quality jobs, fair wages and good conditions into reality. We must reform public procurement rules now. Europe deserve better than a race for the cheapest price. Workers need wages with dignity, safe and secure jobs.”

Enrico Somaglia, EFFAT Depuy Secretary General, said: “It is outrageous that, in this day and age, public contracts funded by taxpayers continue to be awarded based solely on the lowest price. This practice empowers exploitative businesses and exposes an EU failing to protect the dignity and rights of workers. Today, they have come a long way to make their voices heard and to call the EU to support employers that respect workers’ rights.”

Estelle Ceulemans, MEP and S&D spokesperson on employment, said: “We stand with workers and trade unions in demanding respect of collective bargaining as the only way to ensure respect of workers. Our goal is to ensure human EU procurement rules that will protect workers and promote fair and sustainable societies and economies.”

Kim van Sparrentak, MEP and  Member of Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (Greens), said: “The Covid pandemic has taught us that cleaners, construction workers and security agents are the truly essential workers we can’t do without. These workers too often are not getting what they deserve. This ‘Stop the Race to the Bottom’ demonstration is a strong call to action not to miss the opportunity of the announced revision of the EU rulebook on procurement.”

Li Andersson, MEP and chair of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (The Left) said: “The European social model turns into a hollow phrase, if improving working conditions of the essential workers is not taken seriously. The EU and the member states must show an example: we need socially responsible public procurement rules that genuinely strengthens the social dialogue and sets workers’ rights as a priority. Competitiveness can’t turn into a euphemism for low wages and unfair working conditions – that must be our message to president Ursula von der Leyen.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

The demonstration was organised by 14 trade union organisations from nine countries: UNI Europa (EU), EFFAT (EU), FGTB-ABVV (Belgium), ACV-CSC (Belgium), CGSLB-ACLVB (Belgium), CFDT Services (France), IG BAU (Germany), ver.di (Germany), OGB-L (Luxembourg), FNV Schonmaak (Netherlands), NAF (Norway), CGIL Filcams (Italy), UGT-FeSMC (Spain), PAM (Finland).

A groundbreaking international survey of cleaners from 2023, commissioned by UNI, sheds light on the significant challenges faced by cleaning professionals who work irregular and unsocial shifts. The survey, which received responses from over 2,500 cleaners in 32 countries across six continents, highlights the detrimental effects of nighttime on the health, well-being, and social inclusion of workers. 

An extensive global survey of security officers, released in 2024 and commissioned by UNI, reveals that an overwhelming majority feels underpaid, unsafe, and in urgent need of union representation to improve their working conditions. Over 11,000 security workers from 35 countries responded to the survey, with 57% of security workers saying they are dissatisfied with their pay.

UNI Europa is the European Trade Union Federation for 7 million service workers. It speaks for the sectors that constitute the backbone of economic and social life in Europe – including workers in security and cleaning. Headquartered in the heart of Brussels, UNI Europa represents 272 national trade unions in 50 countries. It is part of UNI Global Union.

EFFAT is the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions. As a European Trade Union Federation representing 120 national trade unions from 35 European countries, EFFAT defends the interests of more than 22 million workers employed along the food chain. EFFAT is a member of the ETUC and the European regional organisation of the IUF.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Daniel Kopp, UNI Europa Director of Communications: daniel.kopp@uniglobalunion.org

Eugenio Hernandez Villasante, UNI Global Senior Communications Manager: eugenio.villasante@uniglobalunion.org

Maddalena Colombi, EFFAT Communications, Press and campaigns: m.colombi@effat.org