Low pay/minimum wages, 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.
Briefing finds minimum wage directive already having an impact
In its latest briefing on the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive, the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) finds that the legislation is already having an impact even before it is fully transposed in all member states. According to the ETUI, the Directive’s double decency threshold for adequate minimum wages of 60% of the gross median wage and 50% of the gross average wage has already influenced developments at national level. The briefing cites examples from Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania and the Netherlands where the double threshold or at least one element of it is being taken
EPSU and ETUC welcome last-minute deal on platform directive
Labour movement lobbying helped secure a platform work directive that should provide new rights for millions of workers across Europe. The ETUC and EPSU welcomed the outcome of lengthy negotiations and in particular the inclusion of the presumption of employment in the legislation. This means that Instead of individuals going through lengthy court action to prove they are workers, it will be up to the platforms to prove they are not employees. The directive also recognises the role of trade unions in all aspects of the platform economy, including on issues such as algorithm management. Workers
European Trade Union Federations call on Council to agree Platform Worker Directive with the EP
Next week the final negotiations take place on the Platform workers directive. EPSU joined the other European Federations demanding better rights and protections and for Estonia, France and Greece to stop opposing it.
EPSU Social Services Working Group discuss labour shortages, legislative developments and European Work Councils
On 27 February 48 participants gathered in Brussels for the Social Services Working Group to discuss, among other things, European Works Councils in the care sector, staffing levels and digital care platforms.
Schmit reassures social partners for central governments their digitalisation agreement is in friends’ hands
In a meeting held at the Berlaymont on 19 February, Commissioner Schmit welcomed the EU sectoral agreement on digitalisation and the signatory social partners’ request to implement it through EU legislation.
Unions agree deals in municipal and regional government
The 480,000 workers in municipalities and 140,000 workers in regional government are set to get pay increases of 4% from 1 April as a first instalment of the 6.51% (municipal) and 6.53% (regional) increases over the next two years. An additional 2% fund is available for unions to negotiate separately for different groups of workers and so the overall pay rise will be closer to 8.8% and with an expectation that the real increase overall will be 2.17%. There are also additional amounts for the lower paid. At the end of 2025 there will be further negotiations that will focus on the comparative
Right to disconnect: implement the EU social partners agreement in Central Government Administrations
Speaking at an event on the Right to Disconnect hosted by the S&D Group in the European Parliament, EPSU General Secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan reiterated the urgent need to make the right to disconnect a reality.