Commisson work programme '26: Competitiveness & social needs must go hand in hand

The European Commission work programme, focused on competitiveness, regulatory simplification and the implementation of existing EU legislation, includes 23 key initiatives, of which 10 are simplification initiatives, alongside 18 proposed withdrawals and 14 envisaged repeals. These figures illustrate the importance the European Commission places on regulatory streamlining.

CESI welcomes announced forthcoming initiatives on a new European Care Deal, a new Skills Guarantee and a European Heatwave Plan - even if all three initiatives will be non-legislative and therefore not include any new binding targets or standards. CESI also welcomes the move to issue a legislative Housing Simplification Package as part of the Affordable Housing Plan.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: "The 2027 Commission Work Programme must turn social commitments into tangible improvements for workers. Efforts for simplification must remain compatible with social needs of workers. The programme reads thin. However, the forthcoming Quality Jobs Act is not formally part of the work programme because it is expected to be issued still before the end of the year. In practice, the work programme will need to be read against the content of the Quality Jobs Act, which we hope will be substantial and ambitious - especially in the areas of AI at work, fair transitions, fair subcontracting and better occupational health and safety."

CESI also notes that a much-needed focus on the proper implementation of existing and recent EU legislation can bring real improvements for workers and fulfil regulatory promises already made - including in the areas of the directives on work-life balance, minimum wages, pay transparency and the platform economy.

Moreover, CESI hopes that 2027 will see successful negotiations on a revision of the EU public procurement rules and the Fair Labour Mobility Package.

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