Decent working conditions and equal treatment for all!

The European economy must be based on decent jobs for the workers, not precarious ones. This is the only way forward for Europe if it wants to remain loyal to its fundamental values and continue being a competitive, global economic player. In Europe, decent work means job safety and opportunities for training and career progression. It is also the ability to enforce employment rights, access to social insurance protection, and the respect of health & safety. Essentially, it entails jobs that provide enough income to live decently. However, nowadays precarious jobs are increasingly becoming a reality in European societies. For instance, workers in Macedonia making shoes for EU brands earn barely 25% of a living wage. The alarming reports received from affiliated members and NGOs have reinforced industriAll Europe’s concerns.

Global value chains (GVC) issues are not only global issues, but a reality affecting the everyday lives of European workers too.Global value chains are key for EU trade and will only be improved if companies and other organisations are held legally accountable for ensuring legitimacy and decent working conditions throughout their supply chains. Due diligence is not enough!

EU public procurement legislation should require public bodies to respect collective agreements and ensure decent pay and conditions in the companies that they buy goods and services from. Companies must stop pretending that they are unaware of the misery they spread and start being socially responsible and accountable.

Trade unions are the best partners in terms of ensuring decent working conditions and helping to enhance workers’ conditions in Europe and beyond. In order to improve working conditions in any workplace, the only option is to build trade union power using collective bargaining and European Works Councils as vital tools.

IndustriAll Europe calls on the EU to ensure decent working conditions and equal treatment for all!