Opinions and other works with Workers' Group members as rapporteur/co-rapporteur/rapporteur-general

In 2018, the EESC adopted an Opinion on "The Union's budget and the rule of law" (SOC/598) in which it supported the principle of corrective measures regarding Member States that commit serious violations of the rule of law in Europe. In the present Own-Initiative Opinion, the EESC insists on the actual implementation of Regulation (EU) 2020/2092 "on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget". The EESC demands the imposition of swift and comprehensive sanctions for breaches of the rule of law which put the Union's budget at risk. It also recalls the importance for Member States to integrate measures to strengthen the rule of law in their recovery programmes. The EESC also supports a stronger role for the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), and civil society in the area.

This exploratory opinion, requested by the French Presidency of the EU, has the following objectives:

• Indicate how quality social dialogue could strengthen the prevention of accidents at work and occupational diseases;
• Identify the specific actions that need to be taken to ensure effective implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) measures;
• Describe the conditions for the concrete involvement of the social partners in OSH measures
• Provide tools to support those involved in social dialogue in order to improve the management of health issues at work in regions and businesses;
• Provide measures to strengthen social dialogue in OSH policies accordingly.

The opinion will help facilitating the implementation of the Commission’s new strategic framework and EU OSH legislation.