HOTREC, together with Ceemet, the European Banking Federation (EBF), and WEC-Europe, has published a joint statement urging EU policymakers to intensify efforts to simplify and effectively enforce Europe’s social acquis. The call comes one year into the European Commission’s renewed simplification agenda, which aims to make EU rules more manageable for citizens, businesses, and public administrations.
The broader reality remains that the social acquis has expanded to more than seventy separate legal acts. Developed across different political periods, the resulting framework has become increasingly complex and burdensome, especially for SMEs such as Europe’s hospitality businesses.
The signatories emphasise that simplification must become a continuous and structured process that reviews existing legislation, removes redundancy, aligns reporting obligations, and improves consistency across Member States. Importantly, simplification is not deregulation, but a way to ensure that rules remain coherent, usable and effective.
The statement stresses another key message: the need to prioritise enforcement of existing rules before creating new ones. Too often, legislative proposals emerge not because gaps exist, but because current laws are unevenly implemented or poorly understood.
HOTREC remains committed to supporting a social framework that works for businesses and workers alike. Together with its co-signatories, HOTREC stands ready to contribute constructively to efforts that enhance competitiveness, strengthen the Single Market, and promote high-quality employment in Europe.
