We are pleased to invite you to the 8th edition of the European Labour Mobility Congress (ELMC), which will take place on February 17-18, 2025, at the ICE Congress Centre in Krakow. This prestigious event has been a magnet for audiences from Poland and across Europe, bringing together professionals interested in the single market, labour mobility, and the freedom to provide services.
The first day of the Congress, under the name SIMFO@ELMC (Single Market Forum at European Labour Mobility Congress), will also be part of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Participants will have the opportunity to attend lectures on key issues related to the single market, such as the expansion of the European Union to new member states, free trade agreements, and the challenges related to the posting of workers within the context of the freedom to provide services.
One of the most critical topics to be addressed during the Congress will be the posting of workers, which has long been a source of controversy at the European Union level. In theory, posting workers offers benefits to all parties involved—workers can earn more abroad than at home, their rights are protected under the principle of favorability, and employers can access the vast EU market without needing to establish branches in every member state. However, in practice, the process faces significant challenges. Issues such as social dumping, unscrupulous business practices, and difficulties in enforcing regulations have made the posting of workers one of the most controversial subjects in EU political debates over the past decade.
The first day will therefore offer a deep dive into the distinction between social protection and protectionism and will explore how the principle of “equal pay for equal work” perpetuates wage inequality within the European Union. Experts will also discuss whether the difficulties in enforcing existing regulations justify their revision and how to strike a balance between the freedom to provide services and worker protection.
The second day will focus on practical solutions to challenges related to labour mobility and the functioning of the single market. Participants will be able to join workshops where experts will share valuable insights and strategies on managing the posting of workers and ensuring compliance with regulations.
More information about the program, registration and speakers will be available soon. Make sure to secure your spot at this exceptional event!
SIMFO@ELMC – Official Event of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The first day of the European Labour Mobility Congress is combined with the Single Market Forum (SIMFO), co-organized by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology and the European Labour Mobility Institute. This joint event is recognized as an official event of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Congress Topics and Presidency Priorities
It is no surprise that the main topics of the Congress largely align with the priorities of the Presidency, which were announced in June 2023. These priorities include:
Each of these priorities, in varying degrees, impacts the freedom to provide services and the associated posting of workers.
Impact on Labour Mobility and Service Provision
The anticipated deepening of cooperation between the EU and the US, including a potential free trade agreement, will facilitate European service providers in offering their services to American clients, while also enabling American service providers to do the same within the EU.
How will the expansion of the service market be affected by the accession of new member states to the EU? More companies, increased competition, but also more clients—and above all, the opportunity to fill workforce gaps. Until this expansion occurs, the pressing issue remains the posting of third-country nationals, particularly Ukrainian citizens.
The Presidency is Approaching…
The Presidency of the Council of the EU rotates among all member states every six months, starting from January and July each year. Representatives from the country holding the Presidency, at both ministerial and expert levels, are responsible for setting the agenda of Council meetings and leading negotiations among member states.
Poland’s Role in 2025
From January 1, 2025, Poland will take over the Presidency from Hungary and will pass it on to Denmark on June 30, 2025. Since the Lisbon Treaty, three consecutive countries work together with the European Commission to develop an 18-month program, with each country detailing its specific priorities for its six-month term. This triangular handover rarely leads to abrupt policy shifts.
Our Commitment
We are proud to host an official event of the Polish Presidency in the Council of the EU and eagerly anticipate the growing importance of the freedom to provide services in realizing the Presidency’s priorities. The European Labour Mobility Congress is not only an opportunity to discuss key challenges facing Europe but also a platform for developing practical solutions that will strengthen the single market and enhance labour mobility.
Attorney and Managing Partner of Fragomen’s Brussels office, member of European Commission Expert Group on Economic Migration
Research expert at HIVA–KU Leuven, active moderator of Posting of Third Country National Session.
Expert in Human Resources, Payroll, and Cross-border Employment, Interim Manager in the area of Consulting and Business Development in Poland and in international projects, a board member of the European Labour Mobility Institute
Legal scholar and legal advisor, currently serving as an assistant professor at the Department of Public Economic Law and Labor Law at the Cracow University of Economics
Lawyer, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Vice President of the European Labour Mobility Institute
ICE Kraków Congress Centre – The Modern Heart of Historic Kraków
Kraków, one of Europe’s oldest and most beautiful cities, is a place where the past seamlessly blends with the future. At the heart of this dynamic city, rich in historical heritage and cultural wealth, lies the ICE Kraków Congress Centre. ICE Kraków, or International Conferences & Entertainment, is a state-of-the-art convention center designed to host prestigious events on a global scale.
Located on the banks of the Vistula River, with a stunning view of Wawel Castle, ICE Kraków harmoniously combines modern architecture with the beauty of its historic surroundings. This venue perfectly captures the essence of Kraków—a complete city that is both a modern hub for business and technology and a guardian of its rich cultural and historical legacy.
With its advanced technological solutions, prime location, and flexible space, ICE Kraków is the ideal venue for conferences, congresses, and cultural events. It is here, in the unique atmosphere of Kraków, that our European Labour Mobility Congress will take place, serving as an official event of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Please note that the following schedule is provisional. Detailed information will be updated regularly.
9:00 – 9:30 Registration
9:30 – 10:00 Opening of the Forum/Congress
10:00 – 10:45 – 15 Years of SIMFO
10:45 – 11:30 – Dialogue – Moderated Conversation
11:30 – 12:00 Coffee Break
12:00 – 13:30 Session I
13:30 – 14:30 Lunch
14:30 – 16:00 Session II
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee Break
16:30 – 18:00 Session III
18:00 – 18:15 Summary
19.30 – 22.00 Banquet and Formal Closing of Day 1
Please note that the following schedule is provisional. Detailed information will be updated regularly.
9:00 – Registration
9:30 – Inauguration – large combined room
9:45 – Workshop 1 – large combined room
11:00 – Workshop 2 – large combined room
12:00 – 12:30 – Coffee Break
Parallel workshop sessions in shared rooms:
12:30 – Workshop 3,4,5
13:40 – Workshop 6,7,8
14:40 – LUNCH
15:40 – Workshop 9,10,11
16:50 – Workshop 12,13,14
17:50- 18:00/15 – Instead of a summary
***
20:00 – Afterparty – more information- coming soon
Download
DAY ONE – 17.02.2025 – SIMFO@ELMC
Free admission with registration on the Polish Presidency website – limited number of seats available, so please register promptly. Due to formal reasons, the European Labour Mobility Institute does not handle direct registration for this day of the Congress.
DAY TWO – 18.02.2025 – Registration is available EXCLUSIVELY through this registration form
20% DISCOUNT ON CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION!
Take advantage of our EARLYBIRD promotion – enter the code EARLYBIRD in the registration form to receive a 20% discount – limited number of promotional tickets available.
5% DISCOUNT FOR REGISTERING THREE OR MORE PARTICIPANTS AT ONCE
Simply register at least three participants at once, and you will automatically receive a 5% discount for all. You can enter all participants in the last section of the registration form.
Standard GROSS prices (including VAT) and discounts are as follows:
999 PLN – standard ticket
666 PLN – ticket for ELMI members
333 PLN – academic staff not engaged in business activities
0 PLN – public administration employees
-> Please note that prices will increase as the event date approaches.
ligia.jaszczewska@labourinstitute.eu
tel: +48 572 774 163
Wybierz, jakie pliki cookies chcesz zaakceptować na tej stronie. Więcej informacji na temat wykorzystywania plików cookies oraz ich opisy znajdziesz w naszej polityce dotyczącej plików cookies.
Some of these cookies are essential, while others help us to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.
Some of these cookies are essential, while others help us to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.
Some of these cookies are essential, while others help us to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.
Some of these cookies are essential, while others help us to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.
