The ETUC is calling on the European Commission to initiate swift legislative action on telework and the right to disconnect following the blocking of a European social partner agreement by employers.
In June last year, three European employers’ organisations signed a social dialogue work programme with the ETUC which included a commitment to negotiate a legally binding agreement on telework to be implemented in the form of a directive.
However, after negotiations lasting more than a year, two of the three employers’ organisations refused to put forward any text. The ETUC regrets that employers were unable to communicate a pathway to a successful outcome and that they withdrew from negotiations.
'Pandemic'
The need for regulation on telework has become even more urgent since the pandemic, with the EU Working Conditions Survey showing people regularly working from home are six times more likely to work in their free time and twice as likely to work 48 hours.
Now, the European Commission must immediately legislate to ensure adequate working conditions for people on telework. We call on the Commission to bring forward a directive that will:
- Guarantee the existing right to disconnect;
- Ensure equal pay and treatment for teleworkers;
- Protect privacy and prevent invasive surveillance;
- Ensure that the decision to telework is in the hands of the worker and is not about replacing workplaces;
- Guarantee trade union involvement through collective bargaining in design and delivery of telework.
ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said:
“During the pandemic, millions of people were rushed into makeshift telework situations. While lockdowns have been and gone, telework is here to stay. It is now time to learn the lessons of what has worked and fix what still isn’t working.
“The ball is now in the European Commission’s court. They did the right thing in putting the legislative process on pause to allow the space for negotiations. They need to now fill the gap and bring forward legislation at an EU before the end of this mandate. Working people shouldn’t be left without adequate protection."
Photo: European Parliament
