EMPL committee calls for legislative action

Once again, MEPs in the European Parliament’s employment committee have reaffirmed that workers health can, and must, be better protected.

Following the Parliaments call for a directive on psychosocial risks in March 2022 within the report A new EU strategic framework on health and safety at work post 2020, yesterday, June 14, the EMPL committee called “on the Commission in this regard to propose a legislative initiative, in consultation with social partners, on the management of psychosocial risks and well-being at work aimed at the efficient prevention of psychosocial risks in the workplace”.

The call for legislative action came within the report, Mental Health in the Digital World of Work, which has requested that trade unions and workers representatives be included in the prevention and detection of psychosocial risks, moving the European approach from an individual level to organisational. The text also emphasises the role for trade unions and social partners to improve workplaces, including assurances that “AI solutions in the workplace must be transparent, fair and avoid any negative implications for the workers and negotiated between employers, workers' representatives including trade unions”.

Calls for a legislative initiative are not simply related to psychosocial risks, with the reporting calling for “a legislative initiative on AI in the workplace to ensure appropriate protection of workers’ rights and well-being, including mental health, and fundamental rights, such as non-discrimination, privacy, human dignity”.

– “There is a role for everyone in improving our workplace health and safety, but it must be secured through legislation. We are delighted that the Eurocadres and EndStress demands for legislative action have been taken on board in two reports within the past three months”. 

With the report set to be voted on during the July plenary session, Eurocadres President Nayla Glaise reacted to the adoption at committee level by saying: “Yet again we see that the Parliament wants action. There is a role for everyone in improving our workplace health and safety, but it must be secured through legislation. Non-binding solutions have failed to address the problems workers face on a daily basis, putting their physical and mental health at risk. We are delighted that the Eurocadres and EndStress demands for legislative action have been taken on board in two reports within the past three months, and will continue to push the Commission into action”.

Our EndStress.eu campaign will continue to advocate for a directive on work-related psychosocial risks. Those interested in joining the campaign can contact: secretariat@eurocadres.eu for more information.