EMCO publishes opinion on the dimensions of job quality.

On 5 June, the Employment Committee of the European Commission (EMCO) published an opinion on job quality in the European Union (EU). The opinion defines 13 dimensions of quality employment, which are intended to guide the revision of the existing monitoring framework of the “Employment Performance Monitor” (EPM). The EPM is published annually and uses selected indicators to track Member States’ progress toward achieving the employment policy objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy. It also identifies the main employment policy challenges for the EU.

Importance of quality jobs

According to EMCO, promoting job quality not only benefits workers but also enhances productivity, resilience and thus the competitiveness of the EU. A skilled and motivated workforce is better equipped to respond to the demands of a rapidly evolving labour market — particularly in the context of the green and digital transitions, which require new skills and continuous adaptation to emerging technologies. In light of demographic change, which will lead to a shrinking working-age population in the EU in the coming decades, improving job quality can also help support labour market participation, facilitate employment transitions and enable longer working lives.

Key dimensions of job quality

Job quality is a multidimensional concept encompassing various factors that influence workers’ well-being and rights, according to the EMCO opinion. Job quality is shaped by structural labour market changes, but also by aspects such as wages, working conditions, work-life balance as well as stress and psychosocial risks. Ensuring the enforcement of labour law – especially in the context of labour mobility – can also be challenging and negatively affect job quality. Against this backdrop, EMCO identifies 13 policy dimensions as particularly relevant for assessing job quality in today’s employment context. These include dimensions that were already part of the monitoring framework, such as fair wages, job security, as well as occupational safety and health. Other dimensions have been newly added, including workplace well-being, social protection, gender equality and equal opportunities as well as undeclared or under-declared work as a problem to be eliminated.

Social protection as an important dimension of job quality

According to EMCO, social protection is an integral component of job quality. Everyone depends on social protection at some point in life, which is why coverage gaps – particularly for the self-employed or those in atypical forms of employment – need to be addressed. Access to adequate and sustainable pension systems is key to securing living standards and preventing old-age poverty. In earnings-related pension systems, it is therefore essential that all workers are able to accrue sufficient entitlements throughout their careers. In addition to the accumulation of social insurance entitlements, access to adequate and affordable enabling services is also essential. These include preventive healthcare, childcare, long-term care and well-being programmes – all of which are also considered dimensions of job quality and can be supported through employer-provided benefits.

Outlook

Based on the policy dimensions identified in the opinion, EMCO’s Indicators Group is tasked with updating the existing monitoring framework. For the area of social protection, it is to cooperate closely with the Indicators Sub-Group of the Social Protection Committee (SPC). Furthermore, the European Commission is invited to take the EMCO opinion into account when preparing the Quality Jobs Roadmap and the new Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights.