European Labour Authority


The European Labour Authority is an agency of the European Union tasked with coordinating and supporting the enforcement of EU labour law. Its activities started on 17 October 2019 and the agency is expected to reach a yearly budget of €50 million and 140 staff by 2024. Bratislava, Slovakia is the agency's host city.

Function

The agency does not exert any regulatory authority directly, but rather will work to coordinate the enforcement efforts of other European agencies. Among the agency's tasks are resolution of disputes arising under its authority, coordination of labour inspections, and information sharing among member states.

History

The agency was first suggested by Jean-Claude Junker, President of the European Commission, during his 2017 State of the European Union address. On 13 February 2018, the European Commission presented its first draft of the regulation establishing the authority. On 14 February 2019, the Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on the proposal. On 13 June 2019, the Commission announced that Bratislava, Slovakia would serve as the agency's host city.