CESI participates in social partner kick-off on EU Quality Jobs Roadmap

At the hearing, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger emphasised that even and especially in times of a policy agenda driven by considerations of economic competitiveness, an EU Quality Jobs Roadmap should make clear that the social and the economic should and must go together. Economic competitiveness achieved by social dumping will not be sustainable, he stressed.

In his intervention, he insisted on seven central areas that the Quality Jobs Roadmap should focus on:

1. Strengthening social dialogue andtrade union pluralism

2. Ensuring fair wages and decentworking conditions

3. Tackling precarious employment andensuring secure jobs

4. Managing the digital and green transitions responsibly

5. Strengthening public services andaddressing labour shortages

6. Addressing youth employment andskills gaps of older workers

7. Combating violence and discriminationat work

According to Klaus Heeger, an important focus area of the Roadmap must be further support to performing public services. He said: "Public services remain the social and economic backbone for citizens and companies alike. Cutting on them and their personnel may save costs now but bring even more costs later. In other words, spending in the public services and their personnel – in particular where this concerns the health of citizens and workers and their current and future employment - are investments that will pay off also economically in the long-term. Early childhood education and care, education and VET, further training, health care and public administrations with, for instance, public employment agencies - this all needs proper staff and resources to deliver."

As the consultation process on the new roadmap continues until July, CESI will publish a detailed position with key demands before the summer.

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