Despite the shift in occupational risks brought about by the digitalisation of work - which has led to a spike in stress and burnout-induced conditions or ergonomic injuries, and to a slight drop in the number of workplace accidents - social dialogue remains instrumental in promoting occupational safety and health (OSH), the European Economic and Social Committee said in the opinion Social dialogue as a tool to promote health and safety at work.

"OSH measures carried out through social dialogue not only contribute positively to workers' health but they can also improve the profitability of businesses and reduce healthcare costs and absenteeism. The cost to society of work-related injury and illness is estimated at EUR 476 billion or 3.3% of EU GDP," said the opinion rapporteur Franca Salis-Madinier.

However, the quality of social dialogue varies in different Member States, making the application of autonomous agreements concluded by social partners in the field of OSH sometimes uneven across the EU.

According to the EESC, European social dialogue should be beefed up to ensure uniform protection of all EU workers.  
The European Commission should therefore set clear criteria to ensure that the agreements signed by social partners are implemented in all Member States, especially with a view to the judgement of the Court of Justice of the EU, which stated that the Commission is not obliged to act on the social partners' requests to implement the agreements.

However, in addition to productive social dialogue, setting the general OSH guidelines requires a strong regulatory framework. Agreements leading to Council directives following a request from both signatory parties seem more effective as they ensure specific action plans in the Member States.
To this end, the EESC calls for new guidelines on telework, a more ambitious position on combating cancer and for EU directives on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and psychosocial risks, which are becoming a major occupational threat to European workers.

The EESC's Employers' Group tabled several amendments to the opinion, voicing its opposition, especially as regards calls for new regulatory measures for instance, to the proposed EU action on MSDs and psychosocial risks, as well as to the drafting of new telework guidelines.

The opinion, which was requested by the French EU presidency, was adopted at the EESC plenary session in January, with 172 votes in favour, 32 against and 70 abstentions. (ll)