On the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023, the European Economic and Social Committee called upon the European Unionto adopt binding legislation to prevent psychosocial risks in the workplace. There is mounting evidence pointing to the fact that precarious work is taking a significant toll on workers' mental health.

On 27 April, the EESC presented its opinion Precarious work and mental health during a debate with the Spanish Secretary of State for Labour and Social Economy, Joaquín Pérez Rey.

The rapporteur for the opinion, José Antonio Moreno Díaz, reiterated there was clear evidence that precarious work increases the chances of workers' mental health deteriorating, making this a public health issue.

Precarious work – which covers aspects such as job insecurity, exploitative temporary contracts, long working hours and the inability to plan working time – violates workers' fundamental rights and has to be eradicated and combated in all its forms. This is why the EESC called for the adoption of binding legislation at EU level as well as for the developing and modernising the Directive on Occupational Safety and Health (89/391/EEC).

"We need to have a high-quality working environment which does not lead to either physical or psychological suffering. We need a specific EU directive on psychosocial risks," Mr Moreno Díaz said.

EESC president Oliver Röpke stated: “This Committee has been committed to contributing to the advancement of the EU’s social agenda and to build a sustainable and competitive Europe fit for 21st century. This means, among others, decent labour market conditions, supporting workers’ involvement and fighting precarious work." (ll)