On Tuesday 28 January, the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) adopted a resolution tabled by Belgian MEP Estelle Ceulemans (S&D) on “the social and employment aspects of restructuring processes” and the “need to protect jobs and workers’ rights”.
Adopted by 40 votes in favour, 13 against and 4 abstentions, the text calls in particular for a Just Transition Directive to strengthen democracy in the workplace, in the context of climate change, digital transformation and corporate restructuring.
Retraining and skills upgrading should be given priority wherever possible before considering job cuts, say MEPs, according to an European Parliament press release.
MEPs also want the economic governance framework to be strengthened by a common investment instrument at EU level.
The text also stresses the importance of the involvement of the social partners, social dialogue and collective bargaining in creating quality jobs.
They call on the Member States to achieve collective bargaining coverage of at least 80% of employees.
With regard to the forthcoming revision of the European directive on public procurement, MEPs also call on the Commission to promote collective bargaining and preferential treatment for companies whose workers are covered by collective agreements. ‘No EU financial aid should be granted to companies that do not respect working and employment conditions”, add the MEPs.
Link to the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/f9a (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)