It is high time that the goal is set on “Quality”

FEPS Commentary on the announcement of the Quality Jobs Roadmap

Written by FEPS Secretary General László Andor and Policy Analyst on Social François Balate

With the announcement of the Quality Jobs Roadmap, read the commentary from FEPS Secretary General László Andor and Policy Analyst on Social François Balate.

The European Commission has just published its Quality Jobs Roadmap. It is high time that the goal is set on “Quality”. Not any job is a good job and progressives have always fought for dignity, respect, and empowerment for workers.

The initiative launched today by the Executive Vice-President, Roxana Minzatu, hopefully opens a new chapter, bringing on a wide range of measures to safeguard the quality of existing jobs, adapting to the modernisation of the workplace and ensuring proper safety nets, in order to protect workers’ rights.

The green transition calls for reskilling, restructuring and large-scale investments. This cannot be done at the detriment of workers, and the Quality Jobs Act will need to be the backbone of a socially oriented industrial policy for Europe. Strong workers’ involvement will be key, as well as renewed rules for public procurement with social, labour, and environmental clauses at its heart.

The modern world of work is not only affected by digital innovation, but it also relies on a wider shift in its purpose and place in our lives. We will need responsible algorithmic management, a properly implemented right to disconnect, democracy at work notably via reinforced collective bargaining, and strong rules to prevent abusive subcontracting practices, in-built mental health protections and further work-life balance. Flexibility and innovation should not be used to further exploit workers but to protect and empower them.

In today’s world of disruption, social security will be needed more and in new forms. Either to shield workers from the impact of the climate crisis, future health threats or trade wars, mechanisms shall be established to absorb shocks. The SURE programme, which was launched to mitigate the labour market effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, shall serve as a blueprint for pan-European social protection, potentially extended by an unemployment reinsurance component as well.

The recent Court’s decision on the minimum wage directive – championed by then Commissioner Nicolas Schmit – is an important reminder that one should not give up on building a more social Europe, if needed through EU legislation.

As we will take stock next year of five years of the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the momentum is there to rekindle the spirit of Porto. The social contract on which our welfare states are built cannot be frozen or abandoned. It requires constant monitoring, updating, and reinforcing for the benefit of all workers.

FEPS will continue providing new ideas to expand workers’ rights and shape the future of work – not through blind automation, platformisation, and exploitation – but through social dialogue, creativity and quality.

Photo credits: European Union, 2025