EU: Laurent Vogel, senior researcher at the European Trade Union Institute, says, “Working conditions have become an element of competitiveness and social dumping between the Member States, like pay”

A pillar of European social policies since 1986, the issue of health and safety has been the subject of numerous regulations, precisely to ensure that it wouldn’t be an adjustment variable or a vector to imbalance competition.  Laurent Vogel claims it is no longer the case: workers’ health and safety has been lost to competitiveness.  (Ref.  130587)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.
  • In May, the Commission launched a public consultation to do a report on the 2007-12 Community strategy on health and safety at work, and to see if a new European strategy was needed and what framework of action it should start. Mr. Vogel, what can you tell us about the outcome of this 2007-12 strategy?

Laurent Vogel. With this European policy, the Member States were encouraged to develop national health and safety strategies. There was real ambition in some countries while in others the p

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Catherine Chavanier (CDC Habitat): “Social dialogue on AI facilitates its deployment”
In February, CDC Habitat (10,500 employees) signed a two-year framework agreement governing social dialogue on AI. Catherine Chavanier, HR Director of the subsidiary of CDC (Caisse des dépôts et...
EU: Council adopts position on simplifying AI rules
The Council of the EU approved its position on 13 March regarding the “omnibus regulation” proposal, published last November by the Commission to simplify the AI Act. Confirming the...
20 March 2026
Germany: menopause issues finally gain corporate recognition
With 12 million women over 40 in the labour force, German companies and occupational health professionals are beginning to adopt support policies for those affected by menopause-related issues...
Greece: hospitality sector signs first collective agreement aligned with National Social Pact
The hospitality sector (125,000 employees), one of Greece’s largest industries after retail, signed a new two-year collective agreement on 17 March. The text, effective from 1 April 2026...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
France: government submits draft on pay transparency
On 6 March, the French government sent social partners a draft bill to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive. The text provides details on the implementation timetable, corporate...
9 March 2026
2
Spain: report proposes democratising employee participation
On 2 February, Spanish labour minister Yolanda Diaz presented the conclusions of a report on democracy in the workplace. The document, which calls for employees to be given a say in...
25 February 2026
3
Italy: Deliveroo and Glovo targeted by justice over courier working conditions
The Milan Public Prosecutor's Office has ordered two of Italy's leading food delivery platforms, Foodinho (Glovo) and Deliveroo, to be placed under judicial administration. According to...
9 March 2026
4
Germany: menopause issues finally gain corporate recognition
With 12 million women over 40 in the labour force, German companies and occupational health professionals are beginning to adopt support policies for those affected by menopause-related issues...
5
Valérie Decaux (La Poste): “Our older workers policy is based on individualisation to move beyond age-related-stigmatisation”
La Poste Group (nearly 200,000 employees in France) unveiled its first senior employment agreement in late February. The text outlines measures for early retirement assistance, workplace...
6
Sweden: government delays transposition of Pay Transparency Directive
On 11 March, the Swedish government announced it is postponing the transposition of the Pay Transparency Directive. Having originally targeted an entry into force on 1 July 2026, it has conceded a...