Investing in working conditions and quality jobs!

This conference gathered Commissioner Andor, Ministers and senior officials from EU countries, representatives of EU institutions and bodies, the ILO, representatives of employers and trade unions, academics and practitioners from all over the European Union. The conference was also attended by a delegation from the Youth Forum, ensuring that the voice of youth organisations was heard.

The Youth Forum was speaking on the panel on the implementation of the Quality Framework for Traineeships. Quality internships and apprenticeships are an invaluable stepping-stone in the transition from education to quality employment. The Youth Forum had the opportunity to stress its disappointment at the Council Recommendation adopted in March this year and the continued need for ensuring labour rights of interns, though fair reimbursement or remuneration as stated in a clear regulatory framework on the national level.

Indeed in Europe the situation is critical for interns, as well as for workers. The Eurobarometer study on working conditions released on 25th April clearly demonstrates that the financial and economic crisis and the political choice of austerity measures is leading to an increasing pressure on employers and a deterioration of the working conditions of employees.

For instance, work related mental health issues are a cause for concern for the majority of the European workforce and only 53% of the respondents say that working conditions in their country are good. Some countries have also been hit harder: in Greece, fewer than half respondents are satisfied with their working conditions.

Therefore, six years after the beginning of the crisis, it is vital and urgent that investment is made at the European level in creating good quality, sustainable jobs to protect and improve working conditions, in order to achieve more inclusive growth. This is essential to overcome the crisis but also for the benefit of society as a whole. The Youth Forum will continue to advocate for the right to quality jobs and quality internships all across Europe.

Read more:

Conference programme

Our publication on “Quality jobs for young people”

Our publication “Youth guarantee for Europe and the youth organisations”