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Human rights, security, economic growth and prosperity – migration is closely linked to many issues that will continue to concern us in the future both in Germany and Europe. Whether it be the recruitment of skilled labour, the implementation of European asylum reform, the new citizenship law or flaring crises and conflicts – shaping migration remains high on the agenda in a world undergoing radical change. We therefore need to develop viable approaches involving all political levels and the people themselves. The specific situation on the ground is just as relevant as the international situation. The ability to act is called for, but so too are dialogue and communication about it.
With our “Understanding Migration” series, we aim to discuss and categorise key concepts of the current debate together with experts and practitioners from politics, civil society and academia and examine their political suitability. We are interested in the impact at municipal level as well as international and European perspectives. We invite you to discuss the various aspects of migration, because a broad common understanding is the basis for sustainable solutions.
Whether on construction sites, in lorry cabins, restaurant kitchens, in agriculture or the care sector – mobile workers keep key areas of the European economy running. Temporary posting plays a key role here and is often organised via complex subcontractor chains – with high risks of wage theft, unpaid social security contributions and precarious working conditions. Particularly at risk are employees from non-EU countries who are in non-transparent placement systems and strongly dependent on their employers.
Although political and legal reforms, such as the EU Posted Workers Directive, have brought improvements, controls and enforcement greatly lag behind the reality of transnationally organised work.
Together with our speakers, we want to analyse how these cross-border working models function, and which factors increase the risk of labour exploitation. We also ask what political and regulatory steps are needed to better enforce labour rights and ensure fair conditions along the international supply chains.
The event combines scientific analysis with practical experience from Germany and Romania.
19:00 Uhr | Welcome & IntroductionJoana Marta Sommer, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
19:05 Uhr | Keynote speechDr Jan Cremers, Guest researcher at Tilburg Law School and independent expert appointed by the European Parliament to the Administrative Board of the European Labour Authority (ELA).
Commentaries
Ruxandra Empen, formerly Social Affairs Attaché at the Germany Embassy in BucharestDragana Bubulj, Project Manager of the EU-funded project "Fair Labour Mobility EU" (FELM)Thomas Fehrmann, Commissioner for Relations with South-East Europe, BMAS (requested)
19:30 Uhr | Panel discussion and Q&A session
20:20 Uhr | ConclusionFelix Eikenberg, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Moderation: Annette Schlicht, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Dragana Bubulj studied education and worked in the DGB advisory network ‘Fair Mobility’ for several years. Currently, she is project manager for the ‘Fair Labour Mobility EU’ (FELM) project.
Dr h.c. Jan Cremers is associated with the Faculty of Law of Tilburg University. He held a leading position in the European trade union movement and was a member of the European Parliament. Since the end of the 1980s and the early 1990s, he has been instrumental in developing European social policy legislation in the areas of freedom of movement of workers, health and safety at work and social security. His most recent research focuses on surveys among economic migrants on their working, living, and housing conditions. He is an independent expert on the Board of the European Labour Authority (since 2019).
Ruxandra Empen is a political scientist who for several years advised EU citizens on labour and social law issues. She was Head of Division in the Labour Market Policy Department of the National Executive Board of the Federation of German Trade Unions (DGB) and, from 2021 to 2025, Labour Market and Social Affairs Officer at the German Embassy in Bucharest, Romania.
Annette Schlicht, Annette.Schlicht(at)fes.de, 030 26935-7486Joana Marta Sommer, joana.martasommer(at)fes.de, 030 26935-8304Felix Eikenberg, Felix.Eikenberg(at)fes.de, 030 39888 4570
