About: workers' rights

Protecting workers: What role for agile solutions?

Over the last decades, the world of work has changed dramatically. While the traditional career model is fading, self-employment and ‘gig’ working is becoming more commonplace and mobility across industries and geographies is increasing.

Uber, Cabify drivers strike in Madrid to protest against planned law changes

Thousands of drivers for ride-hailing services Uber and Cabify, waving flags and chanting slogans such as “we want to work”, marched down Madrid’s central boulevard on Thursday ahead of plans by the government to tighten regulation.

Greece: Lenders take unacceptable hard line on worker rights

In the current negotiations over a new loan package for Greece, collective bargaining and worker rights have been in the spotlight. But expert opinion in favour of these tools is being ignored by Greece’s lenders, warn Jan Willem Goudriaan and Richard Pond.

European Works Councils are vital to protect fundamental and democratic rights

European Works Councils protect fundamental and democratic rights, but too many employees are still not protected by them. If Europe is serious about becoming a truly social Europe, this has to change, writes Stan De Spiegelaere.

French Socialists demand deeper debate on CETA

Two weeks before the crucial vote on the EU’s free trade deal with Canada (CETA), French Socialist MEPs have called on their European Parliament colleagues to hold a deep debate on the subject. EURACTIV France reports.

Time for European business to listen to its workers

Workplace democracy makes firms more productive, and therefore more likely to contribute to growth in Europe. The EU should make worker participation in company governance a priority, writes Peter Scherrer.

An AAA-rated society for workers’ rights

This European Commission promised progress on social issues, but so far none has materialised. Europe’s workers need job security, well-defined right and a fair standard of living, writes Oliver Roethig.

Udo Bullmann: It is ‘correct’ to give regions say on CETA deal

SPD MEP Udo Bullmann does not think it is a mistake to make agreements like the teetering CETA deal dependent on the approval of regions like Wallonia. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.

Let’s raise the bar for European Works Councils

EU rules on Works Councils need to push for higher standards and promote workers’ rights, not simply reflect the status quo, writes Stan De Spiegelaere.

Bernd Lange: The US needs to improve workers’ rights

EXCLUSIVE / Labour rights in the US must be improved before any potential TTIP deal is signed and Brexit’s economic impact is of concern, according to the chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, Bernd Lange.

MEPs, make Juncker keep his promises

Jean-Claude Juncker was elected European Commission president on the basis of a social, even hopeful ten-point plan for Europe. Now, MEPs bear the responsibility to hold him into account on these promises, writes Bernadette Ségol.

Ministers reject Parliament’s wishes on maternity leave

Meeting in Brussels yesterday (6 December), EU social affairs ministers refused to accept the demands of the European Parliament regarding minimum standards of maternity leave. The Council is expected to agree its own position sometime next year.

Commission presents plan to close skills gap

Member states must increase efforts to help workers learn the skills needed to do the jobs that will be created in growth sectors in the coming years, according to the European Commission, which yesterday (23 November) adopted its 'Agenda for New Skills and Jobs'.

Social partners hail end of agency worker discrimination

The European Parliament yesterday (22 October) approved legislation granting temporary workers equal rights in terms of working hours, salary and holidays, ending a six-year legislative battle. Businesses and trade unions alike welcomed the deal, which they said struck the right balance between social and economic needs.

EU welcomes compromise on European Works Council

EU Employment Commissioner Vladimir Špídla  yesterday (4 September) welcomed the deal struck between social partners' on a revision of the European Works Council (EWC) Directive after months of deadlock and Commission threats to go it alone if no amicable solution was reached.

Parliament backs calls for EU anti-discrimination law

The European Parliament has reminded Commission President José Manuel Barroso of his commitment to put forward a directive outlawing discrimination on a whole range of grounds, including disability, age, religion or belief and sexual orientation, as Brussels finalises preparations for a social policy package to be presented in June. 

Commission pushing for ‘New Social Agenda’

The Commission yesterday revealed plans to update the current social agenda and better integrate it into the EU's overall policy framework. The main focus lies in addressing cross-border health care, improving workers' rights and promoting better education systems.

EU judges reinforce fixed-term workers’ rights

In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Justice confirmed that workers under fixed-duration contracts enjoy rights similar to permanent workers.

European social model challenged by Court rulings

European Court of Justice rulings in the Laval and Viking cases represent a "danger" for social Europe and open the door to "wage dumping" in the EU, leftist members of Parliament said, while business representatives argued the judgements were crucial to preserving freedom of movement and establishment throughout the bloc.

Germany’s Nokia workers may receive EU help

The EU may offer funding to Nokia workers set to lose their jobs when the cellphone giant closes its plant in Bochum to shift production to Romania, Commission President José Manuel Barroso announced at the weekend. Meanwhile, Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen pledged that this case would prompt a rethink of state subsidies.

EU court upholds right to strike but sets limits

The right of trade unions to take collective action may be limited by employers' right to freedom of establishment, the European Court of Justice has ruled in the landmark Viking case.

Court to back trade-unions’ rights

In the much-disputed Laval and Viking cases, European Court of Justice advocates-general have strengthened trade unions' rights to take collective action against relocations and to enforce adherence to minimum-pay rules by service providers.

Harassment at work – social partners reach agreement

Employers and trade union representatives have rubber-stamped an agreement to fight harassment and violence in the workplace in what constitutes the lastest achievement of the 'European Social Dialogue' launched by former Commission President Jacques Delors some 20 years ago.