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Resolution 1993 (2014) Final version
Decent work for all
1. Work is an essential aspect of
human life. It underpins individual and collective well-being by
providing a source of subsistence, development, self-accomplishment
and social inclusion. International and European human rights law
lays down obligations for States to achieve the full realisation
of the right to work and to protect rights at work. The International
Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Committee on Social Rights
of the Council of Europe also insist on the need to respect a full
range of labour-related rights which make work decent and accessible
for all. Decent work hence refers to productive employment in conditions
of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.
2. Across Europe, public anxiety keeps growing about the erosion
of labour rights, job security and quality employment prospects,
notably for young people and migrants. Protracted economic stagnation,
market deregulation and austerity in developed countries have destroyed
more jobs than new ones have been created, and in-work precariousness
has sprawled. This contrasts with the dynamism in developing countries,
which are making quick gains in competitiveness and living standards,
but lag behind on labour rights. Global and intra-European asymmetries
underlie a “race to the bottom” on salaries, social protection and
employment conditions, thereby exacerbating inequalities and leading
to social dumping. Youth unemployment rates in some member States
are extremely high and reflect the difficulties faced by young people
in finding jobs. The high number of young people not in education,
employment or training (NEETs) poses a threat for social cohesion.
3. Building an inclusive and prosperous society through decent
work requires global solutions. The Parliamentary Assembly reiterates
the importance of international co-operation and broader solidarity
between richer and poorer States, not least towards promoting decent
work under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the new sustainable
development framework beyond 2015. European countries must work together
to anchor human rights and decent work strategies more explicitly
in the multilateral trade system and bilateral trade and investment
agreements.
4. Council of Europe member States must also strengthen the implementation
of the European Social Charter (ETS No. 35 and ETS No. 163).This
instrument complements the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS
No. 5) regarding social and economic rights by linking labour-related
norms with legal and social protection, just employment conditions
and free movement of persons. The Charter of Fundamental Rights
of the European Union already refers explicitly to the European
Social Charter. However, further steps are needed to improve the
consistency of national measures for fulfilling international commitments
and harmonising European social standards.
5. Only a healthy and safe working environment enables working
people to realise their full potential. The Assembly considers that
governments can make no concessions on occupational safety levels
and must ensure that these are thoroughly respected by all employers.
It moreover stresses the need for better enforcement of a ban on
child labour for those under the age of 15, as stipulated in the
European Social Charter. Regular labour inspections are crucial
in this respect and need adequate resources at all times so as to
play their role fully.
6. Solidarity action to improve social safety nets, re-skilling
and the mobility of workers is no longer the exclusive responsibility
of governments. Modernising a social contract in society requires
a stronger partnership with the private sector and civil society
to uphold the Decent Work Agenda. The Assembly calls for the strengthening
of corporate social responsibility and ethics, in particular concerning
the relationship of businesses with sub-contractors and their sourcing
policies in third countries where the risks of exploitation of workers
are substantial.
7. With a view to preserving social peace and justice through
“more and better jobs”, the Assembly recommends that member States:
7.1. consolidate national strategies
for securing decent work conditions for their entire population
and promote intra-European convergence in this area;
7.2. ensure that work-related rights, conditions and protection,
as well as binding social and environmental clauses with accompanying
control mechanisms, are systematically built into bilateral and multilateral
free trade and investment agreements and into the new sustainable
development framework replacing MDGs after 2015;
7.3. guarantee coherent implementation of global core labour
norms and relevant provisions of the European Social Charter, in
particular those concerning freedom of association and collective bargaining,
fair remuneration and social coverage, non-discrimination and employment
services, protection of minors and a healthy and safe work environment;
7.4. adhere to the European Social Charter’s collective complaints
procedure, if they have not yet done so;
7.5. use contacts with employers’ associations and trade unions
with a view to enhancing corporate commitments to social dialogue;
job creation, preservation and sharing; adequate remuneration of capital
and labour; healthy workplace organisation and skills development;
7.6. ensure a level playing field for small, medium and large
enterprises, promote fair competition through national taxation
instruments and reinforce measures against tax avoidance;
7.7. secure a national living wage and social protection floors
at a level that corresponds to domestic development needs;
7.8. facilitate the mission of labour inspectorates and dialogue
between social partners to tackle irregular employment and abuses
in working conditions (notably as regards minimum and maximum working
hours, workplace safety and special protection for vulnerable population
groups);
7.9. use the funding and project opportunities available through
the Council of Europe Development Bank for targeted support to improve
employment offers for young people, minorities and the disabled;
7.10. put in place new communication channels (including social
media and networks) for reporting abuses of labour norms to public
authorities;
7.11. provide for safeguards and tough sanctions against irregular
employment and improve contractual social guarantees for posted,
young, migrant and domestic workers;
7.12. eliminate the pay gap between women and men;
7.13. address effectively youth unemployment and especially
the NEET category, by making interventions in the labour market
and education through training and employment programmes.