Commission 'welcomes' moves to improve workers' rights

The European Commission "welcomed" the endorsement of the Pillar of Social Rights at a meeting of employment and social affairs ministers in Luxembourg on Monday. 

The pillar contains 20 principles and rights aimed to formalise regulations across the European Union and create well-functioning labour markets, welfare systems and  better living and working conditions.

This "marks an important step forward for social Europe," Commissioner Marianne Thyssen said in a statement on Tuesday. "All member states are committed to striving for better working and living conditions throughout our Union, in light of challenges such as an ageing society, globalisation and digitalisation." 

A "more social Europe" has been a priority for the Commission since President Jean-Claude Juncker took over in 2014. A final text of the pillar was presented on April 26. It will be proclaimed at a summit on November 17 in Gothenburg.

At the Luxembourg meeting ministers also agreed "a general approach" to proposed revisions to rules about posted workers -- employees sent by an employer to carry out a service in another EU member state on a temporary basis. The aim is to ensure they are paid at the same rate as local workers.

"Our position from the beginning has been that workers should earn the same pay for the same work in the same place," Thyssen said in the statement. "This is fair for posted workers, who deserve equal working conditions. And it is fair for local workers and employers who don't want to be undercut on wages."

(Alistair Holloway, alistair.holloway@wort.lu, +352 49 93 739)