According to the European Commission, over 17 million European citizens live or work in another member state Shutterstock

According to the European Commission, over 17 million European citizens live or work in another member state Shutterstock

The European Labour Authority marked the launch with a ceremony in Brussels, where it will be temporarily located until moving to a new seat in Bratislava, Slovakia.

“The European Labour Authority is the cornerstone in our work to make EU labour rules fair, effective and enforceable,” commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said on Wednesday. “The authority will provide workers and employers with better access to information on their rights and obligations and will support national labour authorities in their cross-border activities. This will directly support the millions of Europeans who live or work in another member state as well as the millions of businesses operating cross-border in the EU.”

The first meeting will be held on Thursday.

Over 17 million European citizens live or work in another member state, a number which has doubled over the last ten years, according to the European Commission. Meanwhile, millions of businesses operate across borders. The authority, the idea for which was first announced in Jean-Claude Juncker’s 2017 State of the Union address, seeks to improve access for citizens and businesses to information and services about their rights and obligations, improve cooperation between member states by conducting joint inspections and tackling undeclared work, and mediate in cross-border disputes.

The authority is expected to reach full capacity by 2024 when it will have around 140 staff members.

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