The second phase of consultation with European social partners regarding the upcoming Quality Employment Law has been launched by the European Commission.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve the competitiveness and prosperity of the EU and was announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in her 2025 State of the Union address. The proposal, which will be presented this year, aims to improve working conditions, health and safety at work, as well as workers’ rights across the EU.
The consultation focuses on five possible priority areas for EU action. More specifically, algorithmic management and artificial intelligence in the workplace to ensure transparency, a people-centered approach in automated decision-making, and protection of employees against excessive surveillance; health and safety at work, updating regulations on workplaces outside company premises and addressing specific risks, such as those related to teleworking and psychosocial risks (for example, sexual harassment at work); workers’ rights in subcontracting chains, by improving transparency, accountability, and enforcement of regulations to prevent labor exploitation; just digital and ecological transitions, by developing skills and social dialogue to ensure that no worker is left behind as companies adapt to the changing economy; and finally, emphasis will be placed on compliance and the role of social partners through strengthening labor inspections, sanctions against employers for non-compliance, and social dialogue.
The second phase of consultation with social partners will run until September 28. After this consultation, social partners may choose to initiate negotiations to reach a joint agreement. The first phase of the consultation took place in December 2025 and January 2026 and gathered contributions from 34 EU-level social partners (12 trade unions and 22 employer organizations).
