Teleworking in Europe: an EU-driven national agreement
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It is the first time that such an agreement has been put in place directly by workers' and employers' representatives at national level in an autonomous way (in line with article 139 of the Treaty). Previous EU framework agreements on parental leave, part-time work and fixed term contracts have been implemented by a directive.
'The report shows that not only can the social partners negotiate and conclude an agreement, but they can contribute directly to its implementation. This is a first and I would like to congratulate all parties involved', said Commissioner Å pidla. "Promoting telework is an important step in reconciling work and private life" he added. The 2002 telework agreement recalls that teleworkers (workers doing their job away from the employers' premises on a regular basis) benefit from same protection as employees. It also sets out how telework can be used to meet the needs of both workers and employers.
According to the report, almost all EU25 Member States (except Cyprus, Slovakia, Estonia, Lithuania) as well as Iceland and Norway, have implemented the telework agreement. This has been carried out in line with national industrial relations systems and traditions so provisions for telework have been put in place in different ways such as through national and sectoral collective agreements (FR, IT, LUX, GR, DK, SW), codes of conducts (UK and IRL) and legislation (CZ, HU). The widespread follow-up at national, sectoral and company level highlights how the social dialogue can act as a rich source for developing innovative practices across the EU, while contributing to better regulation and better governance. It also underlines how workers and employers wish to play a more autonomus role in modernising the workplace.
Telework is a developing trend, offering benefits to both workers and employers. It allows for a better balance between work and private life and provides companies with the opportunity to combine greater flexibility with security – the 'flexicurity' approach. Although telework is more widespread in certain sectors, like telecommunications, it is estimated that 6 % of European workers telework for at least 10% of their working time. In addition, two thirds (66,5%) of people of working age are interested in availing of telework.
The EC Treaty provides for workers and employers to implement European agreements in an autonomous way. Today's report offers a new wealth of experience for the future implementation of other agreements like the 2004 agreement on stress and the 2006 agreement on the protection of workers exposed to crystalline silica.
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