The industrial cleaning, private security and contract cateering sectors provide essential services to millions of European citizens that are fundamental for their health, security, wellbeing. They are very labour-intensive, and rely significantly on public clients – from hospitals and courthouses to school canteens and airports. According to the European Commission, every year more than 250.000 public authorities spend around 2 trillion € on works, goods or services, an amount that corresponds to a seventh of the EU GDP.

At EU level, public procurement is mainly regulated by a set of directives adopted in 2014. Over the last years, social partners – trade unions and employers alike – have discussed the implications of these provisions on the industries mentioned above, highlighting shortcomings and agreeing on possible solutions via joint declarations, EU-funded projects and other documents.

This joint event is organized to discuss with policymakers, stakeholders and other representatives of the sectors what the consequences of the EU provisions regulating public procurement are on their work (especially in the current macroeconomic context of high and persistent inflation) and what could be done in the future to improve them.

To register (deadline 10 November) and find the full programme, click here.