What will the Danish presidency prioritise?
An insight on the agenda from July to January.
From July 1st to December 31st Denmark will hold the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, giving them agenda setting powers in Brussels.
For workers, it comes at a very delicate time, with the Commission intent on pursuing an agenda of deregulation and militarisation while ensuring employers and shareholder profits trump environmental and social concerns.
Using the slogan ‘A strong Europe in a changing world’, the Danish Presidency have outlined that a competitive and green Europe will be their overarching focus.
In the field of employment and social policy, Copenhagen will seek to “support a more competitive Europe by ensuring labour markets that are competitive and provide decent and fair working conditions, where jobs are safeguarded and the right skills for the future labour market are available”, with little detail available on the content behind these objectives.
Eurocadres believe that there are two priorities which must become central pillars of action during this period, namely unblocking the Traineeship Directive and advancing work (with the European Parliament) on algorithmic management.
The Polish presidency has fallen short in securing a strong text to support some of the most vulnerable in our labour market, with many of the guarantees sought by the Parliament being removed during trilogue negotiations. Should decent and fair working conditions truly be an objective of this presidency, an agreement that delivers true protection for trainees must be advanced.
Additionally, the Danish presidency must ensure it liaises with the European Parliament as they begin working on a push for a directive on algorithmic management.
This week, a draft report has been circulated from the EPP, which calls for European action that guarantees the human in control principle is underpinned by legislation.
With security, environmental and societal issues rearing their head again and again when it comes to artificial intelligence, this is an opportunity for Denmark to lead from the front and insist on European action.
Throughout the next few months Eurocadres will continue to work with key actors to push for and deliver a successful presidency for European workers.