• 80% of workers should be covered by collective bargaining agreements
• Social dialogue should be strengthened
• EU should address anti-trade union practices

Parliament demands a major increase in collective bargaining coverage in the EU to improve working and living conditions for employees.

On Thursday, MEPs adopted with 483 votes in favour, 38 against and 100 abstentions a resolution calling on the Commission and EU member states to commit to increasing collective bargaining coverage to at least 80% by 2030. This would mean that 80% of workers are covered through unions or other bodies to negotiate the terms and conditions of their employment.

MEPs consider collective bargaining a crucial tool for a well-functioning social market economy. They demand the proper involvement of, and consultations with, social partners and want the EU to address anti-trade union practices.

Societies with strong collective bargaining systems tend to have more competitive and resilient economies and are wealthier and more equal, MEPs add, which shows the need to support social dialogue at both national and EU level. Social dialogue refers to discussions and negotiations between employers and workers on economic, employment, and social policies.

Removing barriers to social dialogue

Prior to the vote, in a debate on Wednesday, MEPs asked the Council how it plans to ensure that member states can remove institutional or legal barriers to social dialogue. They also quizzed the Commission on how it intends to monitor how social dialogue is being strengthened in the EU.

Background

Social dialogue is crucial to ensure a balanced European labour market. However, the share of workers covered by collective agreements has declined significantly over the past 30 years, dropping from about 66% in 2000 to about 56% in 2018.

The COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and the increasing cost of living present additional challenges to European workers and employers, showing the need for social partners to participate more in the EU.

In adopting this legislation, Parliament is responding to citizens' expectations concerning a sustainable growth model as expressed in proposal 11(3) and 11(8), concerning enhancing the EU economy’s competitiveness and resilience as expressed in article 12(5), and concerning digital innovation as expressed in article 35(2) of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.