Public procurement in the EU is worth €2 trillion a year (14% of GDP). Half of public tenders are awarded on the basis of the lowest price alone, without any other consideration. As a result, public money is fuelling a race to the bottom for working people. Companies that are most willing to bypass workplace democracy and undercut wages and labour costs are rewarded with public contracts.
Trade unions insist that public money is essential to guarantee decent work. A minimum level of decency for workers would be ensured by awarding public contracts only to companies with collective bargaining agreements.
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