Commission cannot deliver without workers

For the first time in nearly six years, the Commission’s work programme does not contain any social legislation, with competitiveness and simplification (the in-vogue term for deregulation) taking precedence.

While there is room for unions to make gains for workers, the programme is a disappointing politicisation of business talking points, rather than a realistic programme for our joint prosperity.

Much of the discussion around the Commission’s direction has focused on the rules for doing business in Europe, little attention has been paid to the impositions on professionals and managers.

Despite longer working hours, growing rates of sick leave, a recent cost of living crisis and deepening inequality, the work programme has focused on where certain regulation can be cut back on, with 37 proposals set for withdrawal (including the directive on adapting non-contractual civil liability rules to artificial intelligence) and 4 proposals up for repeal (focusing on agriculture, two on statistics and one on road freight transport).

Of the legislative proposals tabled, 11 are aimed at, or include, simplification measures – further underlining the one-track-mind of this Commission.

Under the umbrella of “supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model” all four initiatives – an action plan on the sillar of social rights, the quality jobs roadmap, union of skills and the 2030 consumer agenda – are all non-legislative. Nevertheless the Commission still maintains a commitment to consultation with social partners and trade unions, giving us a forum through which we can raise the need for further action.

Reacting to the publication of the work programme, Eurocadres President Nayla Glaise stated:

“The benchmark for any political project should be how it helps those who do the work. A Commission agenda based on business interests will miss opportunities to improve the EU time and time again”.

“We regret to see the Commission pursue an agenda that deviates from the success of the European project; the promotion and betterment of workers’ rights. No competitive agenda can be complete without putting workers at its heart, which is a mistake the Commission may rue if opportunities are missed.

Europe’s competitive advantage is our high standard of living, mobility opportunities, safeguards against mistreatment and access to justice when wrongdoing occurs. Simplification cannot be the gateway to reducing our social rights.

We need to deliver on our green and digital transitions in a way that grows not only competitiveness for companies, but prosperity for European citizens.

The benchmark for any political project should be how it helps those who do the work. A Commission agenda based on business interests will miss opportunities to improve the EU time and time again.

We will work with the institutions to make this clear”.

The work programme can found in full through this link.