Quality employment, Digitalisation
Getting to grips with digitalisation
Digitalisation has the potential to positively transform public services and the jobs of public service workers. Quicker and easier access to services and increased participation of citizens can be combined with better quality jobs as repetitive work is replaced with more fulfilling tasks. However, trade unions must be involved in the transformation process not just to ensure that workers have their fare share of the benefits of digitalisation but also to deal with the potential downside. This briefing, produced for EPSU's 2019 Congress, highlights some of the work done on this issue in recent years and sets out the current priorities.
EU Social Partners signed new agreement on digitalisation for central government
On Thursday, 6 October the EU social partners for central governments, TUNED for the trade union side and EUPAE for the employers, signed a new agreement on digitalisation with the participation of the European Commission.
New European Care Strategy
The population of the European Union is ageing: the number of people aged 80 and over is expected to increase by 88 per cent over the next 30 years. Principle 18 of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the right to long-term care (LTC), will be ever more important.
Report sets out telework arrangements across Europe
As European trade unions and employers gear up for the cross-sector negotiations on telework that are set to begin next month, the Eurofound research agency has published a new report that maps and analyses legislation and collective bargaining on telework in the 27 Member States and Norway. It covers the main differences and similarities in telework legislation and notes recent changes to these regulations. The report reveals some of the challenges of telework in relation to access, flexible working time, continuous availability/connectivity, isolation, occupational and health risk prevention
Deadline passed for working conditions directive
The beginning of the month was the deadline for the transposition of the Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions Directive (TPWCD) into national law. The directive is a significant update and revision of the Written Statement Directive and provides a range of new rights in relation to training, probationary periods, second jobs, advanced notice of work schedules, protection against abuse of zero-hours contracts and transfers to more secure employment. A major concern for EPSU has been the clause that allows Member States to deny key rights to public service workers. It is not yet known
Solidarity for Brazilian organisations and Electoral Integrity in 2022 elections
The Brazilian Presidential elections take place in October 2022. There is a high risk based on past experience that digital platforms are used to provide misinformation to influence the outcome of the elections.
EU Social Partners adopt agreement on digitalisation for central and federal government
On Friday, 17 June, the EU social partners for central governments – TUNED led by EPSU for the trade union side and European Public and EUPAE for the employers - reached a landmark agreement on digitalisation.