Social Europe: Better working conditions for all
More protection due to implementation of directives
IF – 09/2022
By the
beginning of August 2022, Member States had to transpose the 2019 Directive on transparent and predictable working
conditions into
their own national law. This directive is intended to provide even better
protection for around 180 million European workers in the world of work.
More transparency
Specific
changes in terms of working conditions include defined work assignments and
working hours. These must be clearly communicated by the employer. In addition,
there is a right to obtain essential information of the employment contract,
the place of work and remuneration. This is another important step towards a
strong social Europe and contributes to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights initiated by the European Commission in 2017.
Adaptations to the changed world of work
In
order to respond to the current world of work with the new forms and models of
work, employees are given more right to detailed information about their
working conditions. Because of the many different needs, the policy states that
information about the employment contract, the length of the probationary period,
and work scheduling is required. In addition, employers must offer employees
free training on the tasks to be performed.
Atypical forms of employment are taken into account
In the
case of precarious or atypical employment, the directive has a positive impact
by providing information on employment conditions. This improves the protection
of workers, for example with the right to better predictability of their
working hours, as in the case of delivery service and shift work. On the
positive side for both employees and employers, the directive has the effect of
increasing flexibility in atypical employment.
Employers
benefit from the directive by adapting occupational health and safety to the
latest developments in the labour markets. Homeoffice regulations, work-life
balance, a shortage of skilled workers and demographic change are just a few of
the many challenges facing the labour market. The directive proposes reduction
in administrative difficulties. A level playing field should apply to all
employers in the EU in order to strengthen the single market and competition.
Social security is also being strengthened
The
directive also stipulates that any information on the identity of the social
security institutions receiving the social contributions must be transparent.
Benefits in the event of illness, occupational accidents and diseases, as well
as benefits in old age, disability, for surviving dependants and early
retirement must be passed on to employees. Ideally, information should also be
provided about supplementary pension schemes in the course of social security
coverage.
Monitoring the implementation
The next
step will be for the European Commission to check whether the national measures
notified by each Member State are applicable and actually comply with the
directive.