On Wednesday 10 November, national delegations will discuss draft conclusions proposed by the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council, with a view to a possible agreement on improving working conditions throughout the life course in order to respond more effectively to many societal challenges, including the ageing of the European population and the digitalisation of work.
In line with the European pillar of social rights and the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, the conclusions call on Member States to update their national health and safety frameworks and methods to anticipate labour market demand for skills. In addition, the text highlights work-life balance.
The conclusions highlight the importance of ‘intergenerational’ knowledge and skills transfer. A new point was added to encourage the Member States to step up efforts on improving social protection and access to training, especially for atypical workers. In general, the conclusions suggest that emphasis should be placed on the analysis of socio-demographic variables (age, gender, education, etc.) in order to improve policy-making.
For its part, the European Commission is invited to examine the consequences of “sustainable” working conditions and their benefits for both workers and society as a whole, in conjunction with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The OSH Strategy on Safety and Health at Work for 2021-2027, currently under negotiation (see EUROPE 12813/2), must be integrated into all future strategy documents, in particular the European Care Strategy, according to the conclusions.
To view the draft conclusions: https://bit.ly/2ZX3LyV (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)