Bad jobs remain a widespread problem for workers across Europe. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the launch of the European Commission's second-stage consultation, but the current proposals are not ambitious enough to deliver the employment rights and better working conditions workers need.

That is the main message of the ETUC on today's launch of the second stage consultation of social partners on the Quality Jobs Act, by the Commission.

The consultation focuses on the right issues, but experience shows that non-legislative actions, often identified as possible options by the Commission, will not bring about the change urgently needed for workers facing poor working conditions. Binding legislation is needed to tackle the quality jobs deficits head on, and must be delivered with urgency.

The ETUC will continue pushing for the Quality Jobs Act to deliver real solutions, including:

  • A right to training during working time and the anticipation and management of change as part of a just transition;
  • Limiting subcontracting chains to two tiers, introducing joint and several liability, and regulating labour intermediaries;
  • Ending Europe's stress epidemic, ensuring the right to disconnect, protecting people from heat at work;
  • Regulating algorithmic management at work based on the human in control principle;
  • Ending precarious work through legal rights to permanent contracts and full-time employment.

Esther Lynch, ETUC General Secretary, said:

“Every job should be a quality job. Yet, bad jobs are making the lives of working people harder and damaging Europe's economy by causing labour and skills shortages.

“The Commission's consultation identifies problems facing working people but too often it shies away from the clear and incisive solutions needed to improve their lives.

“Promising to enforce existing rules or raise awareness of problems in several areas just does not cut it. The Quality Jobs Act must be a game changer to turn every job into a quality job.

“It is essential that the Commission opts for binding legislation, and not just for non-binding guidance to fix workers' problems.

“The European Commission must bring forward new legislation that tackles quality jobs deficits head on, ensures full respect for workers' rights, and delivers fair conditions against the challenges working people are facing today.”