ETUC fighting for Quality Jobs in every region and every sector
On the 7th October, we celebrate the World day for decent work and on this occasion, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is organizing an action day to amplify the voices of the workers and to defend the need for decent and quality jobs.
At the beginning of the mandate, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced a forthcoming Quality Jobs Roadmap, which will be prepared under the leadership of Vice-President and Commissioner Minzatu and is expected to be presented in December 2025. On 10 September 2025, in her State of the Union address, Ursula von der Leyen announced a Quality Jobs Act complementing the Quality Jobs Roadmap — a signal that we can expect concrete legislative initiatives to follow.
For working people and their trade unions, the Quality Job Roadmap is not just a policy initiative; it is a call to action to ensure that every worker in Europe can rely on fair wages, secure employment, and respect for their rights. The discussions offer an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to decent work and to shape a future in which no one is left behind.
This is why on 7th October 2025, ETUC will mobilise and reaffirm our demands for the Quality Jobs Roadmap and call for an ambitious Quality Job Act.
We will gather in Vienna, where more than 100 trade union leaders from various European countries and sectors will engage in two key activities:
- A street action in downtown Vienna aimed at giving bringing visibility to the ETUC’s demands on quality jobs.
- A high-level panel discussion on the EU Quality Jobs Roadmap and EU Quality Jobs Act, aimed at building momentum for a strong European legislative and policy initiative.
We encourage affiliates to join us in mobilisation, by:
- Joining us at the event in Vienna
- Organising their own national events and linking them to Quality Job Roadmap and Act
- Engaging in the online campaign in support of a strong Quality Job Roadmap and Act
Online campaign for strong Quality Job Roadmap and Act
The action on 7th October reflects the demands of workers and their trade unions that we fight for every day. This is why we want to create a digital wave across Europe, with your help.
We have a unique opportunity to show the collective strength of our movement, reaching beyond Vienna to citizens, stakeholders, and EU policymakers. To make this happen, we invite you to take part in two simple, but high-impact, online actions.
Our goal is to flood social media with a unified message: the time for a Quality Jobs Roadmap is NOW.
ETUC's Vision of Quality Jobs
The ETUC defines quality jobs as those that ensure strong protections and meaningful opportunities for workers across Europe. For ETUC, a quality job means full coverage of collective bargaining and respect for trade union rights. It also means fair wages that guarantee decent living standards, job security, and clear career progression pathways. Workers must enjoy universal social protection that is accessible to all, as well as access to training and skills development free of charge and during working hours. Quality jobs are also defined by good working conditions and strong health and safety standards, ensuring workers’ dignity and wellbeing. They must provide a healthy work–life balance and be grounded in principles of equality and non-discrimination.
Key ETUC Demands for the Quality Job Roadmap
The ETUC has put forward a set of demands to ensure that the Quality Jobs Roadmap leads to real and lasting improvements in working lives.
The Quality Jobs Package must include, among others, the following key legislative initiatives:
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A Directive on Just Transition in the world of work, to ensure that workers are protected and supported during the green and digital transitions.
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Regulation of labour intermediaries, including the introduction of an EU-wide legal framework to limit subcontracting and ensure joint and several liability throughout the subcontracting chain.
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A European Directive preventing psychosocial risks and online harassment and shaming at work.
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Effective regulation of AI, incorporating the ‘human in control’ principle into EU law through a Directive on AI in the workplace.
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A Directive on Telework and the Right to Disconnect, to guarantee fair conditions in remote work settings and to reinforce the existing right to personal and working time.
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Reinforcing democracy at work, primarly by strengthening collective bargaining.
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Ensuring that the revision of public procurement Directives guarantees that public funds go to organisations that respect workers’ and trade union rights.
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Ending precarious work by guaranteeing legal rights to permanent contracts and full-time employment, banning zero-hours contracts through binding legislation that ensures a minimum working time, and preventing unpaid traineeships.