Commission launches second-phase consultation of social partners on Quality Jobs Act
Today, the European Commission launched the second-phase consultation of European social partners on its upcoming Quality Jobs Act. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance EU competitiveness and prosperity and was announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in her 2025 State of the Union address. The proposal to be tabled this year will aim to improve working conditions, health and safety at work, and workers’ rights across the EU.
The consultation focuses on five possible priority areas for EU action. More precisely, algorithmic management and artificial intelligence at work to ensure transparency, human centricity in automated decision-making and protecting employees from excessive monitoring; safety and health at work by updating rules on off-work premise workplaces and addressing specific risks like risks related to telework and psychosocial hazards (e.g. sexual harassment at work); workers’ rights in subcontracting chains by improving transparency, liability, and enforcement to prevent labour exploitation; just digital and green transitions by supporting skills development and social dialogue to ensure no worker is left behind when companies adapt to the changing economy; and finally a focus will be on the enforcement and role of social partners by strengthening labour inspections, sanctions against employers for non-compliance, and social dialogue.
The second-phase consultation of social partners runs until 28 September. Following this consultation, social partners may choose to initiate negotiations to reach a joint agreement. The first-stage consultation took place in December 2025 and January 2026 and gathered input from 34 EU-level social partners (12 trade unions and 22 employer organisations).
Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, said: “Europe has built the strongest social model in the world. To keep it that way, we must act now. The Quality Jobs Act is about ensuring Europe remains the best place to work and live, where innovation and fairness go hand in hand. Consulting social partners is a crucial step in shaping policies that protect workers, support businesses, and keep our economy competitive in a changing world.”
