Workers' Group calls for decent work worldwide

Speaking on the occasion of the World Day for Decent Work, President of the EESC Workers' Group Oliver Röpke called for the EU to redouble its efforts to promote decent work worldwide. While supportive of the EU's efforts so far, Mr. Röpke stated that there is a need for the EU to strengthen current and proposed measures to enhance working conditions among European trade partners.

President Röpke said:

"The Workers' Group has continuously fought for better working conditions among Europe's trade partners. Low pay, unsafe working practices and the use of forced labour are still present in the supply chains of many everyday goods. That is why we support the Commission's proposal to prohibit goods made using forced labour from entering the EU market as well as the proposed Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence.

"However, if we are serious about promoting decent work worldwide we must ensure the involvement of social partners. Workers can play in important role in overseeing the implementation of the EU's proposals but current plans do not include a mechanism for dialogue with social partners. In addition, the threshold for business size has been set too high, meaning that many businesses will fall outside the purview of the Directive.

"In order to ensure that European supply chains are free from exploitative labour practices, the EU must better engage with social partners and expand the scope of the proposed Directive."

During September's plenary session, the EESC adopted an opinion on decent work worldwide. The rapporteur of the opinion was Workers' Group member Maria del Carmen Barrera Chamorro.

Speaking on the occasion of the World Day for Decent Work Ms. Barrera Chamorro said:

"The EU has a strong record of standing up for decent work globally. We welcome the Commission's latest proposals which build on previous efforts to use European trade policy to promote social sustainability.

"We are calling for the EU to go one step further and support a binding UN treaty on business and human rights, and an ILO convention on decent work in supply chains. This move would require all nations to ensure a minimum standard in working conditions and help us to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals."