On World Day of Decent Work, trade unions from across Europe will today hold a symbolic street action and high level event in Vienna to call for EU action to ensure every worker has a safe, well-paid and secure job.
Trade unionists from across the continent are coming together to send a strong message to the European Commission that its forthcoming Quality Jobs Act must live up to its promise.
The programme of events is being held by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) to mark the global day of action for decent work held on October 7 every year since 2008.
It comes at a time when low paid workers spend at least a third of their wages on rent in most EU member states, 10 million more people can't afford to heat their homes properly despite being in work, and chief executives of Europe’s top companies are paying themselves 110 times more than the average worker.
The ETUC says the Quality Jobs Act, set to be brought forward by the EU Commission on 1 December, must introduce legislative initiatives that address the challenges working people are facing, including through:
- Investment in quality jobs where workers are covered by collective agreements and where public contracts depend on respect for collective agreements.
- Just Transition Directive: EU law to ensure changes in the economy are made through proactive planning and worker involvement - not chaotic redundancies.
- AI and Algorithmic management in the Workplace: A Directive that ensures AI systems at work uphold the ‘human in control’ principle and work in a transparent way which respects workers’ rights.
- Protections against stress and burnout: EU Directive on psychosocial risks that guarantee safeguards against psychosocial risks, online harassment, and enforces the right to disconnect.
- Subcontracting limits: Labour intermediaries must be regulated and there must be joint and several liability along the subcontracting chain.
Wolfgang Katzian, ETUC President said:
“Decent work is the foundation on which people can build a decent life, it is the foundation of cohesive societies, and it is the foundation for all of Europe’s economic success stories.
“But too many people in Europe today aren’t paid enough to afford life’s basics, are being denied their rights through forced self-employment, or face exploitation by bosses who hide behind subcontracting chains.
“The Quality Jobs Act promised by the Commission could not be more urgent and must deliver real improvements to the lives of working people. Ensuring every worker, in every sector and in every region, has a quality job is the best way to ensure competitiveness, while building and reinforcing the European social model."
Speaking in Vienna, Tea Jarc, ETUC Confederal Secretary said:
“The situation is causing misery for millions of people and damaging Europe’s economy at a crucial moment by driving labour shortages. We are calling on the von der Leyen Commission to deliver for working people.
“Europe cannot afford another wave of deregulation and austerity. Rolling back workers’ protections in the name of competitiveness is a dead end. It weakens our social foundations, fuels inequality, and erodes trust in democracy. The EU must stop dismantling rights and start delivering on its promise of decent, secure, and fair work for all.
“Europe’s workers are already carrying the weight of the green and digital transitions, while facing mounting psychosocial risks, burnout, and insecurity in modern labour markets. The European Commission cannot delay. The Quality Jobs Roadmap must deliver concrete protections, from safe workplaces and fair contracts, limiting subcontracting chains, to real limits on algorithmic management. Workers deserve security and dignity in the future of work, not endless uncertainty.”
