Agreement to Discuss: The Social Partners Address the Digitalisation of Work

Abstract

The European Social Partners’ Autonomous Framework Agreement on Digitalisation (FAD),1 importantly, acknowledges the impact of digital technologies on work in European countries, as well as the need to address the associated challenges in a deliberate and thoughtful manner. It serves as a commentary by the European social partners on the challenges and opportunities that digitalisation poses for work, as well as what the parties anticipate for the near future. The Agreement’s impact, however, is likely to be limited for two main reasons. First, it is unclear whether something tangible may arise from this process. The FAD consists of issues to be considered and points that may be included in any discussions between employers, workers and their representatives. Moreover, it offers only a process for dialogue amongst the parties. While discourse remains an integral part of the social partners’ work, the shift to digitalised workplaces has advanced at such a rapid pace that there should be concern that the shared commitment expressed in the FAD will be increasingly difficult to implement as further time elapses. Second, due to its emphasis on discourse, the FAD leaves some crucial matters (such as remote work) either for further discussion or relatively untouched.

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