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Feedback on the European conference "Vibrant Cross-Border Labour Markets"

February 2023

Feedback on the European conference "Vibrant Cross-Border Labour Markets"

The European Commission organized a major conference on cross-border employment on January 18-19, 2023, in Brussels and online. It addressed different key topics related to cross-border employment such as the access to cross-border labour markets, education, the recognition of qualifications, social security aspects, taxation and teleworking.

The objective of the conference was to put the topic on the political agenda at all decision-making levels and to raise awareness of the potential but also the remaining obstacles confronting cross-border labour markets.

Cross-border employment, a key issue at the heart of European integration

Cross-border regions are laboratories of European Integration. Vibrant cross-border labour markets enhance citizens’ access to wider job opportunities, while employers can reach a wider pool of skills. All this while allowing individuals to keep on living on the territories they consider home, thus with much reduced social costs.
But, cross-border commuting (working and residing on different sides of a border) does not come without challenges for individuals and organisations. It also implies the need for policies at local, regional, national and European levels, that properly take into account such challenges. Access to labour markets, social security, education, recognition of qualifications and fair taxation are policy areas that should deeply take into account the specific context of cross-border regions.

Participation and intervention of the MOT

Among the many participants (about 440 registered) were representatives from academia, cross-border projects, EURES, the European Commission, the European Parliament, employment agencies, national ministries of finance and social affairs, municipalities and regional administrations, NGOs as well as trade unions.
The MOT took part in this event and its president, Christian Dupessey, spoke at the end of the first day to discuss the role of the MOT and give the example of Greater Geneva and its cross-border transport network structured around the Léman Express: "When we create infrastucture, we need the economic needs of workers, but we also serve those who go to restaurants and theatres on the other side of the border", he stressed.

The presentations of the event: click here.

http://crossborderlabour.regio-events.eu/
https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/whats-new/newsroom/18-01-2023-don-t-miss-the-conference-on-vibrant-cross-border-labour-markets_en  

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