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

Democracy at work should cover all workers, types of work, as well as all workplaces, including platform workers. It makes companies more resilient, economically successful and better able to deliver on employment and decent work. Successful forms of democratic participation are also found in the social economy, and cooperatives. European Works Councils (EWCs) could be improved by improving participation rights and sanctioning infringements. More democracy in the world of work depends on cooperation of all stakeholders, and can help ease the green and digital transitions. It is crucial to educate young people in favor of democracy at work.

In this opinion, requested by the upcoming Spanish presidency of the EU, the EESC is exploring the consequences of precarious working conditions on the mental health of workers.
The Committee:

• strongly upholds the evidence showing that precarious work increases the chances of worker´s mental health deteriorating and it is incompatible with the achievement of SDGs in the EU: it is a public health issue that has to be eradicated 
• stresses that combating work-related psychosocial risks at the source, using organisational interventions to reshape working conditions, is an essential first step in promoting mental health in the workplace as has highlighted by WHO and ILO
• proposes adopting specific EU legislation on preventing psychosocial risk as well as developing and modernising the current directive on occupational safety and health

The EESC welcomes the Commission's proposal to amend the Anti-Trafficking Directive, as it agrees with the need for further progress and improvement in the fight against trafficking in human beings and the protection of victims. The gender dimension in the content and implementation of the directive should be strengthened, given that the vast majority of victims are women and girls. The EESC believes that the directive should pay greater attention to victims of trafficking, and wishes to highlight the Member States' obligation to care for and protect victims and ensure their social inclusion as far as possible.

Working life is transforming due to the accelerating digital transformation, automation, and transition to climate neutrality. A workforce with the right skills will contribute to strengthen the competitiveness of the union. Against the background of the Commission’s announcement of making 2023 the European Year of Skills. What competence and skill development will be needed?

The EESC welcomes the Commission Communication and the Commission proposal for a Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the European Union. The Committee is fully aligned with the view that social dialogue can be a beneficial tool to drive economic and social resilience, competitiveness, and sustainable and inclusive growth. Establishing a common effective framework, to be implemented at national level for the involvement of social partners, might help ensure that effective and quality consultations with national social partners take place.