European Economic
and Social Committee
Imbalances in social protection in general and specifically for the "new forms of work” and “atypical workers"
Background
Ensuring adequate social protection for all is part of the concept of decent work. In order to secure a sustainable future for the EU combining a strongly competitive economic system with an equally strong social dimension, the EESC advocates improving social protection for all workers as a fundamental and essential element of the European social model.
There has been a marked transition from typical forms of employment (employee, permanent, full-time) to atypical forms of employment, whether traditional (part-time, temporary, intermittent) or new (digital platform work, economically dependent or vulnerable self-employment).
While these developments offer businesses and individuals opportunities for flexibility in terms of management, these atypical forms of work also pose risks due to the economic and social insecurity they potentially bring with them. Resulting gaps in social protection can have a negative impact on the economy and society as a whole, since they may jeopardise domestic demand, investment in human capital, and social cohesion.
The EESC believes that reducing shortcomings in access to sufficient social protection for all workers, including in atypical or new forms of work, would play a significant role in reducing inequalities, including the gender gap in social protection.
The EESC has previously adopted an opinion on a similar topic, namely "Proposal for a Council Recommendation on access to social protection for workers and the self-employed".
Key points
The EESC:
- notes that the EU and Member States shall aim to promote a high level of employment, improve living and working conditions and achieve proper social protection, including under comparable conditions, for the self-employed;
- encourages the EU and Member States, within their respective competences and in keeping with national practices, to adapt social protection systems to cover non-standard work, ensuring sufficient benefits for decent work and a decent life for all workers;
- calls for Member States to shift the focus of social protection from workers alone to all Europeans, offering a minimum income for those unable to work, while promoting a return to employment for those who can work;
- urges Member States to review social protection funding sources to ensure their financial sustainability without hindering job creation. The EU can support Member States in this endeavour by facilitating the exchange of experiences relating to the review/reform of national social protection systems;
- acknowledges that, while adapting social protection systems is primarily a national responsibility, the EU must support Member States in addressing gaps in protection for atypical work, without compromising the flexibility such employment relationships give to both employers and workers;
- urges the Commission to review Directive 79/7/EC and, where necessary, propose reforms to effectively address gaps in social protection, including through social dialogue at national level;
- advocates experience-sharing among Member States to exchange best practices and calls on the Commission to promote mutual learning, involving national social partners and the EESC.
The text of the draft opinion can be found here.
Additional information
Section: Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC)
Opinion number: SOC/802
Opinion type: Own-Initiative
Rapporteur: Maria del Carmen Barrera Chamorro
Date of adoption by section: 3/10/2024
Result of the vote: 60 in favour/17 against/12 abstentions
Date of adoption in plenary: xxxx – xxxx
Result of the vote: in favour/ against/ abstentions
Contacts
Press officer: Leonard Mallett
Tel.: 00 32 2 546 93 37
Email: Leonard.Mallett@eesc.europa.eu
Administrator: Bartek Bednarowicz
Tel.: +32 2 546 92 29