You are here

Working conditions, including health and safety at work

Europe is one of the best places to live and work in the world, with high levels of worker protection and well-being and comprehensive social safety nets for those in need.

In the last Eurofound working conditions survey, 85% of respondents reported either being satisfied or very satisfied with their working conditions. In 2017, the share of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion decreased by 5 million. And for the first time since the crisis, income inequality declined in 2017.

Employers are committed to providing good working conditions, including protecting workers’ health and safety at the workplace across the EU. Good health and safety performance also helps to ensure business continuity and competitiveness, avoiding high levels of absence and loss of skilled workers. But only if the administrative burdens and costs don’t outweigh the benefits.

Publications

Press releases Date
Platform Work Directive: BusinessEurope message ahead of EU Member States meeting 20/12/2023
Seizing the final chance to improve the pay transparency trilogue deal 13/12/2022
EU Commission proposal ignores the diversity of platform work 09/12/2021
EU can only deliver for people if the economy works well 14/01/2020
Position papers Date
Algorithmic management at work - a BusinessEurope policy orientation note 13/12/2023
European Commission package of EU initiatives addressing the health risks of asbestos - a BusinessEurope position paper 28/11/2022
Commission proposal for a directive on improving working conditions in platform work - BusinessEurope in-depth position paper 20/06/2022
Commission proposal for a directive on improving working conditions in platform work - a BusinessEurope position paper 23/02/2022
Second-phase social partner consultation on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to chemical agents at work (lead and di-isocyanates) and to asbestos at work - BusinessEurope reply 21/09/2021
2nd-stage social partner consultation on improving working conditions of platform workers - BusinessEurope response 26/08/2021
Green Paper on ageing - BusinessEurope reply to the public consultation 14/04/2021
Possible action addressing the challenges related to working conditions in platform work - BusinessEurope response to the first-phase social partner consultation 06/04/2021
EU strategic framework on health and safety at work - BusinessEurope reply to the public consultation 25/03/2021
Protection of workers from risks related to exposure to chemical agents at work (lead and di-isocyanates) and to asbestos at work - BusinessEurope response to the first-phase social partner consultation 03/02/2021
Second-phase consultation of social partners under Article 154 TFEU on revisions of Directive 2004/37/EU to include binding occupational exposure limit values for additional carcinogens and mutagens - BusinessEurope response 20/12/2017
First-phase consultation of social partners under Article 154 TFEU on revisions of Directive 2004/37/EU to include binding occupational exposure limit values for additional carcinogens and mutagens - BusinessEurope response 18/09/2017
Safer and healthier work for all - Modernisation of the EU occupational safety and health legislation and policy 27/03/2017
Public letters Date
Platform work: European employers encourage the EP plenary to play its role - message from Markus J. Beyrer to the European Parliament 16/01/2023
Proposal for a directive on improving the working conditions of platform workers - Letter from Markus J. Beyrer to MEP Dragos Pislaru, Chair of the EP IMCO Committee 24/10/2022
Biological agents directive - Letter from Markus J. Beyrer to the European Parliament EMPL Committee 09/06/2020
Directive on protecting workers from exposure to carcinogens and mutagens at work - Joint letter from employers to members of the European Parliament Employement Committee 04/01/2017

Contact

Isaline Ossieur

Adviser
Tel:
+32 2 237 65 37
Last updated: 13 January 2021