With the new health programme EU4Health, the EU Commission wants to take a step towards a common health policy. However, for a paradigm change in EU health policy to become successful, it is also necessary to consider the improvement of working conditions of healthcare professionals and live-in care workers. The Chamber of Labour has developed relevant proposals for European legislative acts.

The COVID-19 crisis amplifies already existing inequalities in society – be it the situation of women and minorities or the status of posted and seasonal workers. Hence, as pointed out by EU Commissioners Helena Dalli and Nicolas Schmit, the reconstruction should not only be green and digital, but also socially just and fair.

All Member States are struggling with a shortage of staff in both the care and nursing of the elderly and in the health sector. The global corona pandemic has put additional pressure on sectors that are struggling to respond to demographic changes. While healthcare workers are confronted with understaffed workplaces, excessive working hours, low wages, or insufficient rest or holiday periods, the working conditions of live-in care workers fall victim to intransparent agency structures that pave the way to exploitation or even abuse.

With the Labour Market Monitor, the Chamber of Labour, in cooperation with the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO), each year prepares an EU-wide study on the labour market situation. The Labour Market Monitor 2019 is the ninth update to be published.

On 29 April, Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, announced his intention to proceed with a European regulation on mandatory corporate due diligence. Whilst the public consultation is to start in the coming weeks, a proposal for a legal initiative has been planned for the beginning of 2021. In doing so, the long-term efforts of civil society and individual MEPs might bear fruit, reaching an important first milestone.

The ongoing COVID-19 crisis continues to paralyse Europe’s economy, the number of unemployed is on the increase and millions of workers live in fear of losing their jobs. The new instrument for short-time work, which has been proposed by the EU Commission, shall protect both employees and businesses in equal measure.

It is a well-known fact that for women their own four walls are one of the most dangerous places in the world. Women’s rights organisations have been warning for weeks of the danger that the Corona pandemic poses to victims of domestic violence. In view of the current self-isolation measures, domestic violence is on the rise and highlights the urgent need for action, which has existed for decades.

The free movement of workers in the EU is a valuable good, which, however, due to national solo initiatives and border closures during the COVID-19 crisis, has been put at risk. Posted workers, frontier workers and seasonal workers are feeling the consequences: In addition to restricted mobility, their social security is at stake.

Europe is entirely in the firm grip of the Corona crisis and urgent measures for the protection of workers are required. Together with the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB), the AK is successfully fighting for preserving as many jobs as possible. During the night of March 17th, an agreement was reached with the Chamber of Commerce regarding a short-time work regulation, which secures income and provides protection against dismissal – to the benefit of all.