As part of the follow-up to the European Pillar of Social Rights, the European Commission has adopted a proposal for a new Directive for more transparent and predictable working conditions across the EU
It sets out new rights for all workers and will serve in particular to combat cases of insufficient protection for workers in non-standard forms of employment. It will also limit the administrative burden on employers and serve to maintain a dynamic labour market through modern work patterns and employment relations. In so doing, it establishes a new, fit-for-purpose level-playing field across Europe which Member States, including social partners, can complement.
In the third quarter of 2017, Eurostat data showed that employment levels in the EU have never been as high as now, the total number of workers in the EU amounting to 236 million. The new Directive will cover all workers in the Union, except from the self-employed. This would come down to approximately 200 million workers based on 2016 employment figures.
The aim of the proposal is that workers in Europe will be better informed about their conditions of employment and able to enjoy improved working and living conditions.
The Commission’s proposal is underpinned by an Impact Assessment, which, on the basis of an external study, has analysed the existing national provisions and derived the numbers of workers who would benefit from the proposal.
The new rules will create a level-playing field for companies across the EU. Employers already providing enhanced information and using more secure contracts will benefit as their competitors across the EU will also need to provide at least the same basic protection.
Other benefits include higher staff retention and loyalty, improved worker relations, fewer complaints from workers, fewer court cases relating to working conditions, better resource planning and work allocation