Europe must deliver quality jobs for carbon-neutral economy

"Every worker in Europe deserves a quality job—with fair pay, safe working conditions, proper work-life balance, and full respect for workers' and trade union rights. We're working longer than ever before. If we want people to still be able to work at 65, jobs must be sustainable."

Brussels, 4 December 2025 - The European Commission today proposed its Quality Jobs Roadmap. Sara Matthieu criticizes the roadmap's lack of concrete commitments: "We know recommendations are rarely implemented. To guarantee quality jobs, we need binding rules on just transition, algorithmic and AI management, preventing burnout, and stopping subcontracting abuses in high-risk sectors. The Quality Jobs Act must include legislation on all these issues." Matthieu calls for a Just Transition Directive to be included in the Commission's Quality Jobs Act expected in late 2026.

She continues: "Every worker in Europe deserves a quality job—with fair pay, safe working conditions, proper work-life balance, and full respect for workers' and trade union rights. We're working longer than ever before. If we want people to still be able to work at 65, jobs must be sustainable. Quality jobs aren't just good for workers; they're essential for Europe's prosperity and competitiveness. They boost productivity and get more people into the labor market."

The roadmap launches consultation on a future "Quality Jobs Act" (expected end 2026) covering algorithmic management and AI at work, health and safety including mental health, subcontracting regulation, just transition and managing change, labor inspection and enforcement, and telework and the right to disconnect. Matthieu: "The twin transition is already transforming our economies and labor market. Businesses must anticipate this change—but recommendations alone won't cut it."

She particularly welcomes Commission engagement with social partners on "fair transitions and anticipating change," stressing that "strong worker involvement is key for workplace democracy and managing the transition successfully."