The EU construction industry

Prior to the crisis, the European construction industry employed 14.8 million workers, making it the largest employer with 29% of industrial employment. However, with 95% of the construction value chain made up of SMEs, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is extremely worrying. It endangers thousands of jobs and the 9% of GDP that our sector contributes to the EU economy.

 

Short-term recovery plan

Our 3.3 million companies are looking to deliver products and services across Europe. As we brainstorm the immediate crisis response and solutions based on a circular economy, the construction industry will immediately offer local jobs, long-term investment value and environmental-friendly solutions. Housing, infrastructure and renovation works offer return on investment, both in terms of quality of life and investment, and whilst conditions vary across the EU, we remain convinced that:

 

- More than any sector, construction delivers local jobs and preserves the social fabric.

 

- To do so, we must allow construction workers and materials to cross borders.

 

- In turn, this will deliver healthy buildings and improves citizens lives.

 

Proposal: Link the Green Deal to the announced EU COVID-19 recovery package with construction as the solution provider.

 

Long-term strategy

To offer jobs to a vast majority of citizens, we must organise and promote public and private investments in green, sustainable and affordable construction. We need to renovate our infrastructure and homes, build healthy buildings for our citizens. To maintain this drive, we need to once again focus on training a new workforce and to offer upskilling to our employees on such things as digital tools.

 

Manufacturers are ready and willing to contribute their knowhow to the development of roadmap for Europe in terms of sustainable construction and building renovation.