EP - From the Lowest Price to the Best Value in Contract Catering Shaping the Future of Public Procurement in Europe
Hosted by MEP Gabriele Bischoff, S&D
Background:
This event will focus on the adoption of a joint EFFAT-FoodServiceEurope position in view of the upcoming revision of the European directives on public procurement. In view of such an important revision, it is crucial that both employers and trade unions find synergies and common priorities. The event will be an opportunity to hear testimonials from workers and employers in the contract catering sector, as well as the views of MEPs involved in this file.
EFFAT and FoodServiceEurope have been advocating for many years for public procurement based on quality criteria, including social criteria. The contract catering sector is a major industry in Europe, employing over 600,000 people. More than 6 billion meals are served to 67 million consumers every day, especially in schools, public administrations, hospitals, retirement homes, and prisons. As a labour-intensive sector, contract catering companies depend on their workforce to provide quality services and ensure food safety.
A revision of the public procurement directives is needed as most of the public tenders are awarded solely based on the lowest price, which leads to a race to the bottom in terms of quality of services and food safety. We are aware of your relentless commitment to revising public procurement legislation and put an end to the downward spiral in working conditions financed by public money.
18.00 – 18.20 Welcome and Introduction
MEP Gabriele Bischoff, EMPL Committee Member, S&D
Enrico Somaglia, General Secretary, EFFAT
Rocco Renaldi, Secretary General, FoodServiceEurope
18.20 – 18.40 Presentation of the EFFAT–FoodServiceEurope Joint Position
Virginie Demoucron, Political Secretary for the Tourism Sector, EFFAT
Francisco Herrera, Policy Manager, FoodServiceEurope
Discussions
18.40 – 19.10 Practical Consequences of the Lowest Price Principle
Testimonies from Workers and Employers
Discussions
19.10 – 19.50 How Could a Revision of the Directives be a Game-changer?
Panel of MEPs from the IMCO and EMPL Committees
Discussions
19.50 – 20.00 Closing Remarks
20.00 End of the Event
Staff