Profound changes in the realities of work call for a strong social dialogue

social dialogue
social dialogue

The far-reaching changes in the world of work, such as the blurring of the previously well-defined roles of employers and workers and the rise in the number of workers in precarious employment, make it imperative for the role of social dialogue and collective bargaining to be acknowledged and strengthened, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) said in a recent exploratory opinion requested by the Estonian presidency and adopted at the EESC's last plenary session in September.

"The Committee believes that the changes taking place are of such magnitude that they require collective, broad and inclusive debate. The method for carrying out such a debate is rooted in social dialogue at all levels and in the participation of all the stakeholders," said Franca Salis-Madinier, rapporteur of the opinion "The role and opportunities of social partners and other civil society organisations in the context of the new forms of work”.

But the structure of social dialogue needs to be adapted to the new and often non-standard and fragmented forms of work, such as online, part-time or temporary work, which may put workers at a peril of not being able to fully assert their labour and social rights.

The EESC expressed particular concern over the fact that digital workers may be left out of collective bargaining agreements and denied the right to trade union representation.

"We need to remove the obstacles preventing people from asserting the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the ILO conventions," co-rapporteur of the opinion Jukka Ahtela said at the plenary.

According to the EESC, the major themes of social dialogue in the age of digitalization include questions relating to employment, career transitions, lifelong learning, social protection, working conditions and pay, as well as income security.

Although available data show that work on online platforms as primary occupation is still rare in Europe with only 5% of workers offering their services there regularly, digitalisation and artificial intelligence have a significant impact on work in traditional businesses, affecting the nature and organisation of work.

There are now 44 million Europeans who work part-time and a total of 22 million on temporary contracts, which is an increase of 11 million or 3 million respectively, over a period of 10 years.

A recent Eurofound study has found that in the EU, an average of about 17% of employees are engaged in telework and ICT-mobile work.

Although this kind of work may bring more flexibility and autonomy to workers, it can also represent a health risk if poorly managed, often leading to stress and burn-out and an inadequate work-life balance.

The EESC suggested that workers need to be more involved in decision-making processes.

The opinion listed several good examples of innovative social dialogue, tailored to the needs of both employers and workers, such as the new right "to switch off" that has been recognized in France.

However, although it is impossible to predict all opportunities and challenges that the digital economy will bring, the EESC believes that social partners should be firm in their belief that "sharing economy can lead to positive developments."

“The role of social and civic dialogue is not to oppose these transitions, but rather to steer them in the best way possible for reaping the full range of benefits they can bring for growth, the promotion of innovation and skills, good jobs and the sustainable, solidarity-based financing of social protection,” Mr Ahtela concluded.