PES SEN: Progressives push for quality jobs and workers’ rights in the Digital Age

PES politicians, trade unions and civil society attended the PES Social Europe Network (SEN) in Brussels to set out clear progressive priorities ahead of key EU initiatives on quality jobs, poverty reduction, gender equality, and intergenerational fairness.

Chaired by S&D Vice-President Gaby Bischoff, the meeting focused on the forthcoming Quality Jobs Act byCommission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu and the implications of Artificial Intelligence(AI) and Algorithmic Management (AM) at work. Participants also stressed that a core social dimension in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is the priority of our political family. As the European Commission prepares new legislative proposals, they underlined that Europe's competitiveness can only go hand in hand with strengthening our European social model. Gaby Bischoff, S&D Vice-President and Chair of the PES Social Europe Network, said:

"High quality economy means quality jobs. Artificial intelligence is transforming our societies, our work and employment across the continent and worldwide. We need to make sure that all rights that we did fight for in the analogue world of work are also guaranteed when it is digital."

"We therefore ask for a Quality Jobs Act that is ambitious in addressing artificial intelligence and algorithmic management in the workplace, as well as an enforceable right to disconnect. Of course this is only one aspect of the quality jobs proposal, we also need decent wages through strong collective bargaining, stable work contracts and strong protection of workers at the workplace with ambitious rules on occupational safety and health. A strong Europe is a social Europe, and this must guide every decision we take."

Participants reiterated the call for:

• A Directive on AI and algorithmic management in the workplace;
• A credible right to disconnect;
• A well-funded and separate European Social Fund in the next MFF with a strong role for regions;
• €20 billion for the Child Guarantee;
• Strong social conditionalities across EU funding.

The Network also welcomed the upcoming EU's first Anti-Poverty Strategy, spearheaded by Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, the Intergenerational Fairness Strategy, led by Commissioner Glenn Micallef and the Gender Equality Strategy post-2025. PES representatives stressed that these initiatives must be backed by adequate funding and political ambition to meet the Commission's goal of eradicating poverty by 2050.

The meeting concluded with a clear message: social progress must shape Europe's economic future.