Precarious work and mental health

Background:

Job insecurity, low or unpredictable wages, abusive use of temporary contracts or lack of labour rights and protection are just some of the characteristics of work that can be described as precarious. This type of work is more common among workers in manual jobs, women, young people and migrants. Although its flexible working arrangements may make it attractive to some workers, for a vast majority it is not a voluntary choice. The evidence is mounting that constant uncertainty regarding such employment, pay and working conditions are starting to take a heavy toll on workers' mental health.

Key points:

In the opinion, the EESC proposes:

• to make sure that the relevant European and national legislation is fully implemented and enforced so as to reduce precarious work and the prevalence of the associated mental health problems;
• to adopt specific legislation on preventing psychosocial risks at EU level;
• to combat identified work-related psychosocial risks at the source.

The text of the draft opinion can be found here.

Additional information

Section: Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC)

Opinion number: SOC/745

Opinion type: Exploratory opinion requested by the Spanish Presidency

Rapporteur: José Antonio MORENO DÍAZ

Reference: Letter of 26/07/2022

Date of adoption by section: 03/04/2023

Result of the vote: 60 in favour/24 against/6 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 26/04/2023

Result of the vote:

Contacts:

Press officer:  Laura Lui          

Tel.:     00 32 2 546 9189

email:  laurairena.lui@eesc.europa.eu

Administrator: Valeria Atzori

Tel.:     00 32 2 546 8774

email:  Valeria.Atzori@eesc.europa.eu