Minimum wages in all EU countries should allow for decent living and working standards, and member states should promote collective bargaining for pay.&nbsp; With 505 votes in favour, 92 against and 44 abstentions, Parliament adopted&nbsp;new legislation&nbsp;on adequate minimum wages in the EU during September plenary.

The EU law, agreed with the Council in June, aims to improve working and living conditions for all workers in the EU, as well as promoting economic and social progress. To this end, it establishes minimum requirements for the adequacy of statutory minimum&nbsp;wages as provided by national law and/or collective agreements, and enhances the effective access of workers to minimum wage protection.

The new directive will apply to all EU workers who have an employment contract or employment relationship. The EU countries in which the minimum wage is already protected exclusively via collective agreements will not be obliged to introduce these rules nor to make these agreements universally applicable.

EU wants to improve workers’ rights and working conditions across Europe, from working hours and parental leave to health and safety at work. The EU has put in place a set of labour rules to ensure strong social protection. They include minimum requirements on working conditions - such as working time, part-time work, workers’ rights - to information about important aspects of their employment and the posting of workers. They have become one of the cornerstones of Europe's social policies.&nbsp;

Working conditions

&nbsp;Arelatively recent phenomenon, the collaborative economy has become to the centre of the interest&nbsp;a decade in some areas of activities, such as car-sharing or short-term lets. Although it is now a well-known term – with alternative names from the 'sharing' to 'gig' to 'peer-to-peer' economy – it remains difficult to grasp precisely, beyond the central feature that potential consumers and providers are connected via a digital platform that matches demand and supply, providing cheap access to information on a very large scale.

These 'match-makers' make it possible for non-professional providers to offer goods and servicesin a wide range of activities, generating value and with the potential for further development.

The success of collaborative platforms has raised concerns regarding workers’ rights and unfair advantages these firms might enjoy over traditional companies that are bound by stricter legal regulations. Taxation issues in the collaborative economy increasingly highlight the need for an in-depth look into taxation, focusing on the link between the value created and tax, and the need for a level playing field for incumbent business facing competition from these new entrants to the market.

See more on this topic by visiting our package&nbsp; for the 8th parliamentary term.

Collaborative economy

A ‘posted worker’ is an employee sent by his or her employer to carry out a service in another EU Member State on a temporary basis. EU law on posted workers is generally regarded as a targeted effort to regulate and balance the following two principles: creating a level playing field for cross-border service provision in a way that is as unrestricted as possible; protecting the rights of posted workers by guaranteeing a common set of social rights in order to prevent unfair treatment and the creation of a low-cost workforce.

On May 2018, MEPs voted on revised rules: workers posted temporarily to another EU country must get equal pay for equal work in the same place.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/posted-workers-8th-parliamentary-term_6601_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Posted workers (2019-2020)

The European Parliament has adopted new rules to allow parents and carers to better reconcile their work and family lives.

The new rules for a better work-life balance, adopted on 4 April 2019, aim to increase the employment rate for women, create incentives for fathers to take family-related leave, and promote gender equality and equal opportunities. Parliament and Council agree on measures to reconcile career and private life:

- Ten working days paternity leave, paid at not less than the level of sick pay

- Two months of non-transferable paid parental leave

- Five days of annual carers’ leave

- Flexible working patterns, including remote working.

#EUelections2019 - Work-life balance

Parliament wants all workers to benefit from minimum rights on working conditions, including those on non-traditional contracts.

On 16th April 2019 MEPs approved minimum rights for workers with on-demand, voucher-based or platform jobs, like with Uber or Deliveroo. The new rules include: minimum rights agreed for workers in casual or short-term employment; working conditions that must be made clear to workers on their first day on the job, and probationary periods that may not be longer than six months.

How is the EU fighting youth unemployment? With more than 26 million Europeans out of work, unemployment is one of the biggest issues that Europe is facing today.

#EUelections2019 - Employment

EP Plenary session - Single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on common rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State

INTA IMCO - Trilogue on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market

EP Plenary session - Need to overcome the Council deadlock on the platform workers directive - Council and Commission statements

EP Plenary session - Oral question - Working conditions of teachers in the EU

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Addressing urgent skills shortages and finding the right talents to boost job creation (European Year of Skills)

EP Plenary session - Topical debate - Quality jobs in a competitive future-oriented Social Market economy

EP Plenary session - Oral question - The role of social award criteria in public procurement in strengthening social rights, good working conditions and inclusive labour markets

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Revision of the European Labour Authority mandate

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Parliament's call for the Right to Disconnect – 3 years after

EP Plenary session - Short presentations

EP Plenary session - Ensuring European transportation works for women

EP Plenary session - Protection of workers from asbestos

EP Plenary session - Oral question - Improving firefighters’ working conditions

EP Plenary session - Revelations of Uber lobbying practices in the EU

EMPL Committee - The Uber files, lobbying and workers’ rights

Working conditions of platform economy workers

EP Plenary session - Adequate minimum wages in the European Union

Conference on the Right of Disconnect

EP Plenary session - Voting session (part 1) incl. packaging waste and air quality

EP Plenary session - Voting session (part 2) incl. European Health data space and violence against women

MEPs votes on the following topics: European system of national and regional accounts in the European Union (ESA 2010) - Irene TINAGLI (S&D, IT), Conservation of the Southern Bluefin Tuna: conservation and management measures - Grace O'SULLIVAN (Greens/EFA, IE), Working conditions in platform work - Elisabetta GUALMINI (S&D, IT), Transparency and targeting of political advertising - Sandro GOZI (Renew, FR), Revision of European Works Councils Directive - Dennis RADTKE (EPP, DE), and Preparation of the EU-Ukraine Summit - Motions for resolution.

Voting session, including Working conditions in platform work

The considerable increase in the number of jobs offered through digital platforms has made the improvement of the situation of platform workers, already highlighted by research and the EU institutions themselves for several years, a matter of urgency. As platform workers' rights are not enshrined in EU labour law, this increasingly leads to problems related to various aspects of their work and human development. To remedy this situation, the European Commission has submitted a proposal for a directive aimed at improving the working conditions of platform workers, clarifying their employment status, and supporting the sustainable growth of digital labour platforms in the EU. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Improving the working conditions of platform workers

MEPs discuss on recent revelations concerning Uber’s lobbying practices in the EU. In particular, the plenary debate inquires about the situation of Uber drivers in Europe, and the extent to which Uber’s former lobbying activities have affected their labour and social rights. Closing statements by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs.

Revelations of Uber lobbying practices in the EU: closing statements by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs

MEPs discuss on recent revelations concerning Uber’s lobbying practices in the EU. In particular, the plenary debate inquires about the situation of Uber drivers in Europe, and the extent to which Uber’s former lobbying activities have affected their labour and social rights.

Revelations of Uber lobbying practices in the EU: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss on recent revelations concerning Uber’s lobbying practices in the EU. In particular, the plenary debate inquires about the situation of Uber drivers in Europe, and the extent to which Uber’s former lobbying activities have affected their labour and social rights. Opening statements by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and by by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

Revelations of Uber lobbying practices in the EU: opening statements by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affair

Care work provided in homes and institutions is a public good that is under-valued by society. Most unpaid care work within households is carried out by women. The 'unpaid care penalty' for women in the EU, which is equivalent to the earnings they lost because of this unbalanced distribution of care responsibilities, is estimated to reach €242 billion per year. In this first episode of the chronicle, Dr Meena Fernandes, a policy analyst at the EPRS, will delve into unpaid care work and its impact on women and gender imbalance as well as on our society and economy. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Care work in the EU : The care penalty

The Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Committee hosts a public hearing on the so-called “Uber files”, lobbying and workers’ rights with the intervention of the Uber whistleblower and former Head of Public Policy, Mark MACGANN. Extracts from the hearing.

Uber files, lobbying and workers’ rights: extracts from the Hearing at the EMPL Committee

Platform economy work is making use of an online platform (for example the one of companies operating in the food delivery sector, in order to enable organisations or individuals to contact other organisations or individuals to solve specific problems, or to have access to specific services in exchange for payment. Platform economy work is considered as a non-standard form of employment. Therefore, the working conditions and the social rights of platform workers are not enshrined in standard labour regulation. In the European Parliament, the rapporteur of EMPL Committee Elisabetta GUALMINI (S&D, IT) presented her draft report on 19 May 2022. Instead of having five criteria to determine whether the platform is an 'employer' , the rapporteur proposes to add other concrete elements and place this (non-exhaustive) list in recital 24.

Infoclip - working conditions of the platform economy workers

Extracts from the signing ceremony by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs on behalf of the Czech Presidency of the Council

Lex Signing ceremony: extracts from the signing ceremony by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs on behalf of the Czech Presidency of the Council

In a wider economic climate of rising prices, but recognising member state traditions of wage-setting and collective bargaining, the EU directive on adequate minimum wages is set to be a major milestone in European social policy. Under the new rules, national minimum wages would have to enable workers to lead a decent life, taking into account the cost of living and wider pay levels. To facilitate an adequacy assessment of existing statutory minimum wages, EU countries may establish a basket of goods and services at real prices, or set it at 60% of the gross median wage and 50% of the gross average wage. Second part of the debate.

Adequate minimum wages in the European Union: MEPs debate (part 2/2)

In a wider economic climate of rising prices, but recognising member state traditions of wage-setting and collective bargaining, the EU directive on adequate minimum wages is set to be a major milestone in European social policy.Under the new rules, national minimum wages would have to enable workers to lead a decent life, taking into account the cost of living and wider pay levels. To facilitate an adequacy assessment of existing statutory minimum wages, EU countries may establish a basket of goods and services at real prices, or set it at 60% of the gross median wage and 50% of the gross average wage.

Adequate minimum wages in the European Union: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

In a wider economic climate of rising prices, but recognising member state traditions of wage-setting and collective bargaining, the EU directive on adequate minimum wages is set to be a major milestone in European social policy.Under the new rules, national minimum wages would have to enable workers to lead a decent life, taking into account the cost of living and wider pay levels. To facilitate an adequacy assessment of existing statutory minimum wages, EU countries may establish a basket of goods and services at real prices, or set it at 60% of the gross median wage and 50% of the gross average wage. Opening statements by Dennis RADTKE (EPP, DE) and Agnes JONGERIUS (S&D, NL), Rapporteurs, Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights and by Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ (S&D, ES) FEMM.

Adequate minimum wages in the European Union: opening statements by Dennis RADTKE (EPP, DE) and Agnes JONGERIUS (S&D, NL), Rapporteurs, Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and by Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ (S&D, ES)

Following the last successful trilogue on the Directive "Adequate minimum wages in the EU", the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs votes on the provisional agreement that was reached, aiming to tackle in-work poverty and raise standards of living, foster collective bargaining, and enhance workers' rights to minimum wage protection. Votes and statements by Dennis RADTKE (EPP, DE) and Agnes JONGERIUS (S&D, NL), Rapporteurs.

Adequate minimum wages in the European Union: extracts from the votes and statements by Dennis RADTKE (EPP, DE) and Agnes JONGERIUS (S&D, NL), Rapporteurs

The deal with the Council, reached in December 2021, aims to strengthen the rules to protect workers more robustly against carcinogenic and other hazardous substances by setting EU-wide exposure limits. Parliament succeeded in including reprotoxic substances in the scope of the Directive. Reprotoxic substances are harmful to reproduction and can cause impaired fertility or infertility. Closing statements by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights and by Stefania ZAMBELLI (ID,IT), rapporteur.

Protection of workers from the risks relating to exposure to carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxins at work: closing statements by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights and by Stefania ZAMBELLI (ID,IT), rapporteur

The deal with the Council, reached in December 2021, aims to strengthen the rules to protect workers more robustly against carcinogenic and other hazardous substances by setting EU-wide exposure limits. Parliament succeeded in including reprotoxic substances in the scope of the Directive. Reprotoxic substances are harmful to reproduction and can cause impaired fertility or infertility.

Protection of workers from the risks relating to exposure to carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxins at work: MEPs debate

The deal with the Council, reached in December 2021, aims to strengthen the rules to protect workers more robustly against carcinogenic and other hazardous substances by setting EU-wide exposure limits. Parliament succeeded in including reprotoxic substances in the scope of the Directive. Reprotoxic substances are harmful to reproduction and can cause impaired fertility or infertility. Opening statement by Stefania ZAMBELLI (ID, IT), rapporteur and by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights.

Protection of workers from the risks relating to exposure to carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxins at work: opening statement by Stefania ZAMBELLI (ID, IT), rapporteur and by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

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