Following pressure from the trade union movement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed today that there will be a commissioner for quality jobs and social rights.
The ‘jobs and social rights’ job title was to be scrapped under the initial plan for the new Commission published in September. It would have meant this would be the first Commission since the 1970s not to have a role dedicated to employment and social affairs.
But, speaking to the European Parliament today, President von der Leyen said: “I want to say that I have heard your call. And I am happy to announce that social rights and quality jobs will be part of Roxana’s title as Executive Vice-President.”
President von der Leyen also put forward other commitments, including a pledge to protect quality jobs in the European car industry, promising to strengthen social rights, and recognising the importance of high-quality jobs and living standards to competitiveness.
Legislation and investments urgently need to follow these commitments. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) now calls on the Commission to deliver:
- An industrial strategy that supports quality jobs and links public money to social conditions to ensure full respect of trade union rights;
- A just transition directive to guarantee that trade unions can have a real say and anticipate and manage change;
- Legislation to end exploitation of workers subcontracting chains and by intermediaries;
- A Directive on telework and the right to disconnect;
- A Directive to prevent psychosocial risks at work;
- A Directive on the use of artificial intelligence at work which guarantees the ‘human in control’
- A revision of the directives on public procurement which really promotes and supports collective bargaining.
Responding to today’s speech, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said:
“At a time when workers’ wages are still not meeting the cost of living and thousands of quality jobs in our industries are under threat, the decision to scrap the ‘jobs and rights’ title gave the impression the new Commission was not in touch with the concerns of the majority of citizens.
"The reinstatement of the commissioner for jobs and social rights is symbolically very important. President von der Leyen also rightly recognised today that Europe’s competitive advantage is in high investment, high quality jobs and high living standards.
"That is incompatible with the race to the bottom that some employers are trying to drag us towards despite the fact that Europe could never win. That is why any better regulation initiatives must not lead to lowering employment rights and standards, nor create obstacles to legislative initiatives needed to deliver better working and living conditions.
“We now look forward to working with Roxana Mînzatu and Teresa Ribera to ensure the Commission turns the positive change in tone we’ve seen today into concrete advances for working people during the next five years. That should start with through a dedicated social partner meeting and with concrete iniatives for quality jobs early in the first 100 days."
