Brussels, 24/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - While just over half of European workers perceive working conditions in their country to be good (53%), a majority (57%), nevertheless, think that their working conditions have deteriorated in the last 5 years, according to a Eurobarometer survey published on Thursday 24 April.
The survey was carried out in the 28 member states between 3 and 5 April among a sample of 26,571 people. The results provide a rather contrasting perception Europeans have of working conditions in the EU. Although 57% of people asked said that the economic crisis had had a damaging impact on working conditions, more than three out of four of them said that they were satisfied with their own professional working environments and 85% of them found the level of safety and security in the workplace adequate. Out of several different criteria used to define working conditions, overtime was mentioned the most (48% of respondents) as a problem, as well as stress (53%). The European Commission said that, “dissatisfaction regarding workload, pace of work and long working days (more than 13 hours)” appeared to reveal an increase in “work intensity”.
Similarly to all other surveys carried out a European level, there are significant disparities between member states. Nonetheless, it is the views of citizens from a single country that are the most striking. Greece was the only country where a majority of respondents (62%) were dissatisfied with their working conditions, this is more than in Spain (46%) and Romania (40%). Those most happy at work are the Danish (6% are not happy), the Austrians (10%) and the Belgians (10%). As for changes in working conditions, the Estonians and Maltese stand out, with 40% of them saying that they have seen an improvement over the past five years.
The Commission confirmed that the results from the survey, “will feed in to discussions on current and future prospects for EU action in the field of working conditions in Brussels on 28 April”. The Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, Laszlo Andor said that, “Together with member states and employee and employer organisations, we need to renew our efforts to preserve and improve working conditions”. (JK)