Digitalisation and the fundamental technology and structural change are future key challenges for the economy, employees and politics. In order to shape the digital change in the interest of employees, we need more co-determination in undertakings and a genuine vocational training culture in companies. And it must be ensured that the digital world of work guarantees employee rights and social security for all.

The European Working Time Directive has been in force since 2003. Increasing demands on employees in Europe, anti-employee changes in working time regulations in Austria in autumn 2018 and not least some important rulings of the European Court of Justice make it clear how important it is to regulate working time regulations at European level.  

This new study presented by the AK shines a light on the various ways big platform companies like Uber, Airbnb, Amazon, Deliveroo and Co actively influence European officials in the policy making process. Through meetings behind closed doors with high level officials of the European Commission, job offers and numerous corporate lobbyists, think tanks as well as business associations these internet platforms try to convince the policy makers of their interpretation of existing directives – already showing success in many fields.

This position paper is a common manifesto of the international worker’s chambers day 2019 in Saarland held by the Saarland Chamber of Labour, the Bremen Chamber of Labour, the Luxembourg Chamber of Labour and the Austrian Chambers of Labour. Together they call for the right of initial and continuing vocational training in a more reliable and robust framework and statutory regulations. The rapid changes in the fields and nature of work are leading to various risks and chances.

On 8th July 2019, a meeting took place of the Council of the European Union on the “Economy of Wellbeing”, which the Finnish Presidency chose as a key issue of its time in office. This focus shall help to shape Europe’s future and move the people to the centre of policy-making again.

The issue of how to shape future politics in Europe was the subject of a joint event organised by the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA) and the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB Europabüro), the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation on 19.06.2019. Together with Professor Björn Hacker, political and workforce representatives discussed the issue, as to what a European Union might look like, which would not only react to crises, but would actively operate as problem solver.

By proclaiming the European Pillar of Social Rights over eighteen months ago another attempt had been made to pave the way towards a more social structure of the European Union. Since then, several Directives have been adopted. However, to what extent the Pillar will lead to positive changes, does not least depend on the socio-political measures of the next Commission.

On 5th June 2019, the European Commission published its country-specific recommendations within the framework of the European Semester. The concrete recommendations for Austria paint a mixed picture: on the one hand, it is recommended to increase the cooperation with the social partners. On the other hand, increasing the statutory pension age has been recommended once again.

On 29 May 2019, a public hearing on the UN binding treaty on business and human rights took place in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). Prior to the next negotiation round at EU level, which will take place in October, experts from academia as well as representatives of the social partners and NGOs had the opportunity to present their views on the treaty.