Ceemet, together with the EBF, HOTREC and WEC Europe, has issued a united call for the EU to streamline and modernise the broad set of social and labour rules known as the social acquis. As the voice of Europe’s metal, engineering and technology industries, Ceemet joins forces with the EBF, representing the banking sector, HOTREC, representing hospitality and tourism businesses and WEC Europe, representing private employment and recruitment agencies. Together, they warn that the current patchwork of more than seventy social and labour laws has become too complex for companies operating across multiple Member States.
From Ceemet’s perspective, simplifying the social acquis is crucial for maintaining industrial competitiveness and enabling employers to meet growing skills and innovation demands. Alongside its partner organisations, Ceemet stresses that this effort is not about deregulation. Instead, it is about making rules consistent, removing outdated provisions and ensuring that reporting and compliance obligations are aligned so businesses can focus on productivity and growth rather than navigating administrative burdens.
Ceemet and its fellow signatories also highlight the urgent need for stronger and more uniform enforcement of existing laws. They argue that many challenges come not from gaps in legislation but from uneven or inefficient application across the EU. Without consistent enforcement, companies face uncertainty that undermines the Single Market and weakens Europe’s competitiveness at a time when global pressures are rising.