On June 26-27, the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI) together with Bertelsmann Stiftung foundation hosted in Brussels its first Summer Days on the topic “Future of Work, Social Protection and Interest Representation.”

Individual breakout sessions were moderated and facilitated by DG EMPL of the European Commission, Eurofound, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the European Policy Centre (EPC) and the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).

As platform work is expected to be increasingly decoupled from time, place, colleagues, employers, trade unions and other communities, the classical structures and interconnections of the industrial age may be challenged. The changing nature of work also raises questions regarding the traditional dichotomies between trade unions, employers, employees, and the self-employed. Participants, therefore, discussed how to ensure legal clarity, social protection and interest representation in an uncertain future.

Eurodiaconia believes that the provision of quality social services and training opportunities are necessary to prevent poverty or social exclusion. However,  those services must be consistent with labour market opportunities in order to be effective and increase the employability of people. An effective partnership with employers that are committed to inclusive workforces and the promotion of social entrepreneurship is needed. Against this context, Eurodiaconia is organising its 2019 Network Meeting on Access to Employment with a focus on how providers of social services can establish stronger links with employers and employment opportunities. The event open to Eurodiaconia’s members will take place on 12-13 September in Madrid.

To read the programme of the CESI event, please visit their website.

To know more about Eurodiaconia’s upcoming Network Meeting on Access to Employment, please check the program.