EU Quality Jobs Roadmap: Private Employment Services Advocates for Balancing Act Between Regulation and Innovation

On 4 December, the European Commission unveiled its Quality Jobs Roadmap, an initiative aimed at creating high-quality, future-proof jobs across Europe. While job quality in the EU remains generally strong, workers continue to feel the strain of global crises and rising living costs. At the same time, businesses face persistent labour and skills shortages while striving to stay competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.

For the private employment services sector, these objectives are not mutually exclusive. "We must challenge the prevailing narrative that Europe must choose between economic competitiveness and high social standards. It is not a question of 'either/or'; it must be both. Quality jobs are a driver of higher economic growth, not a hindrance to it," says Sonja van Lieshout, President of the World Employment Confederation-Europe.

Balancing Regulation and Competitiveness

WEC-Europe welcomes the Quality Jobs Roadmap's focus on reforms and investments conducive to quality jobs. However, barriers remain. Too many restrictions on agency work and limitations on offering a diverse range of labour contracts still hinder the industry's ability to meet the needs of both companies and workers.

Subcontracting and labour market intermediation are essential business models for Europe's competitiveness, and the European private employment services industry welcomes their recognition in the Quality Jobs Roadmap. WEC-Europe supports a targeted approach that focuses on specific high-risk sectors and addresses abusive practices. This will help ensure a level playing field for legitimate and compliant private employment services across Europe.

Through agency work and other flexible forms of employment, the private employment services industry has long been at the forefront of enhancing Europe's competitiveness while ensuring robust worker protection. This is achieved through compliance with EU and national legislation, complemented by additional benefits negotiated via collective bargaining. The sector fully supports the principles of equal treatment and equal pay for agency workers as enshrined in the Directive on Temporary Agency Work, alongside a strong commitment to collective bargaining and tailored solutions in labour agreements.

Dealing with the Digital Transformation

Another key pillar of the Roadmap addresses the digital transformation of labour markets. The Commission signals that future legislation may cover algorithmic management and artificial intelligence (AI) at work, complementing ongoing initiatives on telework and the right to disconnect.

WEC-Europe believes existing EU instruments-such as the AI Act, GDPR, and the Platform Work Directive-already provide a solid framework for responsible AI use in the workplace. Rather than introducing new rules, the focus should be on effective implementation and equipping workers with the skills to benefit from AI, as outlined in the Union of Skills initiative.

Similarly, on telework and the right to disconnect, WEC-Europe advocates for solutions developed at national and sectoral levels, leaving room for social partners to craft tailored agreements through collective bargaining.

Leading the Debate

WEC-Europe put these issues centre stage at its stakeholder event on December 3 - a timely debate held just hours before the Commission unveiled its Quality Jobs Roadmap. Around the theme of "Europe's competitiveness through AI and quality jobs", the event explored how the private employment services sector can help translate EU-level ambition into practical solutions for companies and workers across Europe. Speakers included representatives from the European Commission, UNI Europa, CEPS, the ILO, national federations, and WEC-Europe leadership, who shared insights on managing the AI transition, boosting competitiveness, and ensuring quality jobs simultaneously.

Following this initial communication, the European Commission has launched a first-stage consultation with social partners on a forthcoming Quality Jobs Act, a piece of legislation that aims to update EU rules to protect workers while supporting productivity and competitiveness.

As the EU Social Partner for the temporary agency work sector, WEC-Europe will actively contribute to this process, advocating for policies that enable flexible forms of work while ensuring social protection, skills development, and decent working conditions for all.