Future low and middle value contracts

The Committee of the Regions is planning to sign a direct works contract for the refurbishment of the entrance hall of the Jacques Delors building (Rue Belliard 99-101,  B-1040 Bruxelles) with a view to improving its security in terms of access. The planned activities comprise demolition, stabilisation, structural, finishing and specialised technical (HVAC/electrical) works, and the supply and installation of high-security equipment (single-person revolving doors, access controls, security checkpoints, high-performance glazing and structures).

The objective of the contract is to produce a study on the employment of asylum seekers and refugees in EU rural areas, with particular emphasis on the social economy. The two issues of refugees and rural areas have become increasingly important at both European level and in the Member States. Consequently, the EESC would like the study to offer insight into the link between the two topics, feeding into new EESC opinions and work.

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The study will inter alia aim to shed more light on the most severe skills mismatches jeopardising competitiveness, productivity and innovation in the EU and the Member States now and in the future, looking at both the long and short term. It should first and foremost look into the determinants of skills mismatches and the factors shaping them, such as policy-induced or policy-related distortions to labour mobility as well as individual and job characteristics.

According to EESC opinion SOC/533 , "The changing nature of work and employment relationships is developing rapidly. The challenge for the EU is to encourage innovation, technological development and creativity to drive and deliver positive outcomes for a sustainable and competitive social market economy. The impact of these developments on the labour market and standards, economy, tax and social security systems and the living wage need to be assessed.