The vote of the 'employment and social affairs' committee of the European Parliament on the directive establishing transparent and predictable working conditions (revised 'written statement' directive), on Thursday 18 October, which greatly reinforces the provisions of the European Commission's proposal, has had mixed responses from the social partners.
There is little enthusiasm among the employers. UEAPME, which represents SMEs and craft industries, denounced the administrative burden that the approved text would bring about. The organisation considers that the text as modified by the MEPs could discourage business owners from recruiting, particularly highlighting the MEPs' determination to add a requirement for the communication of essential information from day one. The organisation also regrets that the European Parliament has introduced the principle of predictability.
On the union side, on the other hand, the text voted through was welcomed. “The vote was crucial because it demonstrates that the EU is capable of responding to the needs of vulnerable workers who are trapped in abusive flexible contracts”, said the European Trade Unions Confederation (ETUC), stressing that the text is one of the achievements of the European pillar of social rights.
There are many sources of satisfaction (see EUROPE 12120): - the directive covers zero-hours contracts and workers with low volumes of hours, platform workers, freelancers and most people working in the private and public sectors; - essential information is communicated from day one (including for posted workers); - employers will no longer be able to charge employees for their training, but will even have to pay them; - the maximum probationary period is six months; - the directive secures the rights of workers' representatives. The unions hope that the Parliament will vote for the report next week.
There is still a risk that the EPP or ECR will ask to put the text through plenary, although the chances of rejection for the text and the mandate of the rapporteur, Enrique Calvet Chambon (ALDE, Spain) are very low, in the view of one MEP, as the S&D, GUE/NGL, Greens/EFA and much of the ALDE as well as the Italian delegation of the EFDD and certain delegations of the EPP (France, Luxembourg, Belgium) support the text. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens) chats