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RETAIL WORKERS DESERVE MORE !



UNI Europa Commerce welcomes the EU Commission Communication “setting up a European retail action plan” but demands for more concrete actions to strengthen employment in the sector.



The newly published European Commission Communication “setting up a European action plan” rightly identifies better working environment and conditions as one of the top five drivers to enhance the sustainability of the retail sector.



In line with UNI Europa demands, the European Commission states that “the retail sector should benefit from more qualified staff and improved working conditions, leading to higher job satisfaction.”



UNI Europa welcomes this analysis which reflects the reality of retail workers in the workplace. Too many retail workers, particularly low skilled and those working part-time, do not enjoy decent working conditions in Europe. This must be tackled.



The Commission decision to set up a permanent group on retail involving EU Members States and stakeholders is relevant. UNI Europa is keen to contribute to its activities in order to voice the worker’s expectations, suggestions and demands.



However, UNI Europa requests that the political agenda of the permanent group is not limited to “retail competitiveness” but also addresses the working conditions and employment prospects in the sector.



UNI Europa takes good note that the Commission endeavours to “provide for greater clarity regarding the proper balance between freedom of establishment, spatial / commercial planning, environmental and social protection” but doubts that the exchange of good practices is the most efficient tool to address this issue.



UNI Europa reminds that in the preparatory consultations, its contributions identified social dumping as the major hurdle for decent workers protection and as the main competitive advantage used by multinational companies investing in Central Eastern Europe and outside the EU. Breaching the law, in particular by avoiding the correct implementation of freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, is a serious matter that requires more control and effective sanctions.



UNI Europa welcomes the Commission’s statement that it will strengthen cooperation with social partners regarding education matters, highlighting the role of the European social partners, UNI Europa and its employer counterpart EuroCommerce, to tackle the skills-needs mismatch.



The launch of the European Skills Council for employment and training in commerce will certainly contribute to reducing the gap between the skills needed and those available on the labour market, in particular the impact that the use of new technologies is having on job profiles and associated competences.



UNI Europa agrees with the Commission’s analysis when it states that even, and especially, in time of crisis investment in training and education must continue if we want to achieve a full job recovery. Good and quality job opportunities rely on the availability of training and apprenticeship programmes, which are geared towards skills needs.



UNI Europa agrees with the Commission statement that the commerce sector could better participate in economic growth. It is difficult to improve customer service quality when the workforce turnover is high. Employment stability is necessary to develop workers competences and skills. Too often, retail companies hire workers on a fixed term basis and/or part-time, whether directly or via temporary work agencies. This leads to the precarisation of the workforce and to the deterioration of the working environment.



To conclude, UNI Europa wishes to express its general satisfaction on the overall analysis of the European Commission, especially when it comes to highlighting the linkage between the quality of employment and the quality of the provided services.



However, the Action Plan lacks ambition and identifies very few future actions. UNI Europa hopes that its engagement in discussions over retail competitiveness within the permanent Retail group will bear fruit and allow the Retail group to explore and take up new additional actions in the proposed direction.