In this opinion, the EESC highlights the need for adequate social protection for the self-employed, in line with international and European standards. It calls for further reforms to create inclusive social security systems for workers and the self-employed, especially in the context of platform work. The Committee also supports continued monitoring of the 2019 Council Recommendation on access to social protection within the European Semester and the sharing of best practices among Member States, aiming to ensure that the self-employed receive protection equal to that of workers while respecting national and EU competences in this field.
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.
Download — EESK atzinums: Working time, the efficiency of the economy, and the well-being of workers (including in the context of digital change and work automation): a legal and comparative analysis of the situation in the EU Member States
Download — EESK atzinums: Action Plan for enhancing cooperation between civil society organisations in the European Union and Kazakhstan, in the framework of the implementation of the New Strategy on Central Asia and of the Global Gateway
The EU’s ambitious climate targets are driving up costs for industries, but they also encourage innovation and create value, necessitating a careful balance between development and maintaining competitiveness. The EESC opinion aims to assess how these challenges will impact European industry and propose solutions to ensure competitiveness amid rising energy costs and the green transition.
