CESI participates in social partner kick-off on EU Quality Jobs Roadmap

At the hearing, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger emphasised that even and especially in times of a policy agenda driven by considerations of economic competitiveness, an EU Quality Jobs Roadmap should make clear that the social and the economic should and must go together. Economic competitiveness achieved by social dumping will not be sustainable, he stressed, and added that a key objective remains to bring simplification and cutting red tape for business together with social goals for workers, so that both benefit.

As laid out in a recent resolution on competitiveness adopted by its Presidium, CESI believes that there is a clear need to enhance competitiveness through reform, de-bureaucratisation and enhanced use of AI and ICT, but also to reject it as a social deregulation and staff cutting agenda.

Moreover, according to CESI a focus on competitivessness must also include further support for performing public services, as a key enabler for favourable economic environments for businesses and firms. Public services remain the social and economic backbone for citizens and companies alike. Cutting on them and their personnel may save costs now but bring even more costs later. Both citizens and workers as well as companies need public services that have the capacity, staff and ressources to deliver on their needs.

Beyond this, CESI believes that further six central areas should rank high in a Quality Jobs Roadmap: 

1. Strengthening social dialogue and trade union pluralism

2. Ensuring fair wages and decent working conditions

3. Tackling precarious employment and ensuring secure jobs

4. Managing the digital and green transitions responsibly

5. Addressing youth employment and skills gaps of older workers

6. Combating violence and discrimination at work

As the consultation process on the new roadmap continues until July, CESI will publish a detailed position with key demands before the summer.

‍