Today, industriAll Europe has released a new position paper, calling on the European Commission to deliver a truly ambitious Quality Jobs Roadmap.
On 16 April, industriAll Europe contributed to the launch of this initiative through a social partner exchange of views with European Commission Executive Vice-President Mînzatu. As the EU advances its efforts to define and promote quality jobs across Europe, industriAll Europe sends a clear message: only the creation of good quality jobs can secure a just and sustainable future for all workers.
The paper, titled ‘Good Quality Jobs: A compass for the next legislative period’ outlines clear criteria and demands for what constitutes a quality job, including decent wages, open-ended contracts, strong collective bargaining, access to training, healthy workplaces, and equal opportunities. IndustriAll Europe stresses that quality jobs must be the cornerstone of the EU’s economic and social policies, particularly as Europe navigates the twin green and digital transitions.
Isabelle Barthès, Deputy General Secretary of industriAll Europe, stated: “Quality jobs must be at the heart of the European project and therefore a compass for the next legislative period. Low pay, precarious contracts, unsafe workplaces and weak social protections must become a thing of the past. Quality jobs must not be an abstract concept. There must be a concrete agenda with real outcomes for workers.
“With this blueprint for action, we expect the European Commission to take workers’ voices seriously as it develops its Quality Jobs Roadmap. Industrial workers are extremely anxious about their futures. In the current context, delivering a quality job agenda is essential for social stability and economic resilience.”
The release of the position paper comes at a critical moment, as the European Commission is currently consulting stakeholders on the forthcoming roadmap.
IndustriAll Europe’s paper highlights key recommendations, including:
- Anchoring quality job criteria in EU legislation and social conditionalities
- Strengthening social dialogue and collective bargaining as non-negotiable elements of quality work
- Embedding social sustainability alongside environmental and economic sustainability in EU policy frameworks
- Guaranteeing a Just Transition for workers affected by structural changes, with concrete job guarantees and support measures
IndustriAll Europe will be using its paper to influence the EU institutions, national governments, and employers over the coming months.
The paper ‘Good Quality Jobs for a Stronger Europe’ is available here EN FR DE