Enhancing quality in employment and working conditions by introducing and promoting related tools (incl. AI) and strengthening social dialogue and collective bargaining - Related Opinions

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has issued an opinion on the European Commission’s proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of Member States. These guidelines form part of the Spring package of the European Semester and are intended to support national labour market reforms, promote inclusive growth, and align with the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) Action Plan and the Union of Skills initiative. The opinion reflects on the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape, labour shortages, and the need for inclusive and future-ready employment strategies.

In its own-initiative opinion on the new European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) Action Plan, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative and urges a renewed and ambitious approach. The EESC highlights the need to reinforce the social dimension of the EU, particularly in light of ongoing green and digital transitions and persistent inequalities. It calls for a stronger focus on social investment, quality employment, inclusive labour markets, fair mobility and accessible social protection systems. The Committee underlines the importance of involving civil society and social partners at all levels and recommends establishing clear targets, effective monitoring and adequate funding to ensure the full implementation of the EPSR principles.

The opinion focuses on the importance of a human-centric approach in addressing occupational safety and health (OSH) challenges in an increasingly digitalised work environment. It stresses that new technologies can both enhance and introduce workplace hazards, necessitating a proactive regulatory framework. The opinion underlines the need for OSH training, particularly when AI-driven systems and digital tools are introduced, ensuring that workers have the necessary skills to navigate evolving work environments safely. It calls for transparent AI deployment to prevent bias and discrimination and encourages social partners to actively engage in shaping AI regulation through collective agreements. Furthermore, the opinion demands that the European Commission provide resources for social partners, enabling them to address digitalisation challenges effectively while maintaining social cohesion and worker rights in a rapidly changing labour market.

The EESC stresses the urgent need to adapt strategies for work-life balance taking into consideration the shifting demographics, new forms of work, flexible working arrangements and rising care demands, also in view of the 2027 revision of the Directive (EU) 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers. While looking at the increased demand for care services, it recommends the Council asks the Commission to develop a Care Toolbox with indicators for long-term care. Highlights that despite some progress, women still bear most unpaid care work, contributing to the “feminisation of poverty” as women leave their jobs or reduce their working hours to care for relatives or children. Stresses that care work and financial security of families and workers should be seen as an investment benefiting society and the economy and not as an expense.

The opinion looks into the opportunities and risks from new technologies for public services, which are taken to mean the activities or services that public authorities of the Member States at national, regional or local level classify as being of general interest.

The EESC considers that AI can make public services more efficient and more accessible, in particular to the most vulnerable people in society. It can also reduce workload for public services' workers and it should be borne in mind that these services are provided by human beings, at their own pace, in their own time and with their own requirements.

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.