Business Services statement on recovery from the COVID-19 crisis
Business services are helping Europe decisively to reopen, even though they were themselves hit hard. The private security industry is particularly dealing with the severe consequences of the pandemic for the transport and event sectors. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Business Services Alliance (EBSA), of which CoESS is Board member, has issued two statements, focusing on good contracting practices and on the need for a sectoral approach in the lifting of the containment measures. With the shifting of the focus from containment to the recovery, the EBSA shares its views on the way forward.
Business services, often less visible players in the economy, are key drivers of economic growth and job creation in Europe. They are fundamental for increasing European productivity and transforming the European economy, which will be essential during the lifting of the containment measures and the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. Industries like the private security services further play an important role for a safe and secure recovery as they are responsible for implementing many different infection prevention and control measures.
The services sectors represented by the EBSA would therefore welcome an open dialogue between the European Commission, services sectors associations and others to pave the way for an economic and social recovery in Europe, building on the role of business services in helping Europe to reopen.
In the statement published today, the EBSA calls on EU policymakers to pay particular attention to the following:
- A quick return to efficient public procurement, fair contracting practices and better consideration of quality criteria in procurement in order to ensure a safe and secure economic recovery and fair competition.
- The provision of rapid access to liquidity and funding to viable businesses to retain workers and ensure business continuity and sustainability in the long-run. Therefore, application procedures for access to EU funding have to be streamlined and eased.
- Implementation of the European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience.
- Continuation of temporary unemployment schemes and relief measures.
You can read the full statement here.