On 5th March 2025, the European Commission and European cross-industry social partners signed a groundbreaking Pact for European Social Dialogue, marking a significant development in strengthening the role of social partners in shaping labour market, employment, and social policies across Europe.
We’re pleased to see this milestone pact that so closely aligns with our mission here at FUTOURWORK – to strengthen worker wellbeing and rights in tourism and hospitality through social dialogue.
Digital Transformation and Social Dialogue
President Ursula von der Leyen emphasised that “when technologies shift, when industries evolve, it is our social dialogue that ensures fairness and sustainable success. It turns disruptive innovation into progress for all. It keeps the wellbeing of competitive companies and workers at the heart of everything we do.” This resonates deeply with the tourism and hospitality sector, where workers face unique challenges during digital transitions. These challenges exacerbate existing inequalities, affecting marginalised workers the most.
Social dialogue plays a crucial role in ensuring not only growth but fairness in the labour market. As the Pact addresses how European labour markets must adapt to these transformations, our research directly contributes to understanding how enhanced social dialogue can protect and empower workers in one of Europe’s largest employment sectors.
A Multi-Stakeholder Approach
Like the new Pact, FUTOURWORK is built on a multi-stakeholder foundation, bringing together workers, employers, researchers, and policymakers. This cooperation ensures that the voices of tourism and hospitality workers are heard and that solutions are grounded in the realities of the sector.
The Pact establishes concrete actions, including a Quality Jobs Roadmap and the appointment of a European Social Dialogue Envoy. These initiatives create important avenues for our sector-specific insights and recommendations, developed collaboratively with our cross-sector stakeholders.
Contributing to a Fairer Future for Europe
As the European Commission strengthens its commitment to social dialogue, FUTOURWORK looks forward to contributing our findings and recommendations to support this vital work. Our research will provide evidence-based insights into how social dialogue can be effectively leveraged to improve working conditions, enhance worker wellbeing, and ensure sustainable success in tourism and hospitality.
The Pact for European Social Dialogue represents a renewed commitment to putting workers and social partners at the heart of European decision-making. We’re proud to be part of this movement, working towards a future where quality jobs and fair treatment are central to Europe’s tourism and hospitality sector.
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