Pearle*-Live Performance Europe, the European federation representing performing arts organisations and a recognised sectoral social partner, welcomes today’s implementation dialogue on fair labour mobility hosted by Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu.

As an international cultural sector, live performance is characterised by frequent, short-term, cross-border work. The sector represents more than two million cultural enterprises in Europe, with the vast majority being micro and small organisations. This reality makes it a concrete test case for identifying barriers to mobility and for designing rules that are fair, proportionate, and workable.

Despite the EU’s achievements in promoting mobility and the free movement of workers and services, challenges remain. Diverging national interpretations, fragmented implementation, and disproportionate administrative requirements continue to discourage cross-border work and create high compliance costs. 

Digitalisation has an important role to play in addressing these challenges, provided that tools are interoperable, transparent, and user-friendly. However, digitalisation cannot compensate for overly complex rules: simplification and proportionality must remain the guiding principles.

Pearle* therefore calls on the European Commission to place these principles at the centre of the forthcoming Fair Labour Mobility Package. Simplified procedures, integrated into existing national systems, will make compliance a natural consequence rather than a barrier. By doing so, the EU will strengthen the Single Market, support Europe’s competitiveness, and safeguard its cultural diversity.

Fair labour mobility is not only a matter of rights and fairness, but also a cornerstone for cultural exchange, innovation and economic vibrancy. Pearle* stands ready to continue its contribution to this process and looks forward to engaging further with the European institutions in shaping practical solutions for mobility in Europe.