The ETUC study looks into the “Role of international and European standards in shaping the world of work in the European Service sector”.
The ETUC study is also available in:
- French: "Le rôle des normes européennes et internationales dans le faconnage du monde du travail dans le secteur européen des services"
- Latvian: "Starptautisko un Eiropas standartu loma darba pasaules veidošanā Eiropas pakalpojumu nozarē"
- Hungarian: "A nemzetközi és európai szabványok szerepe a munka világának alakításában az európai szolgáltatási szektorban"
Service standards can, under certain circumstances, benefit working conditions and social dialogue. Such benefits include the influence of service standards in providing a level playing field in their impact on workers and their environment, for instance in training opportunities or privacy at work.
Yet, significant evidence exists regarding the potential pitfalls of service standards for workers. Observed pitfalls refer to service standards setting requirements contradicting existing labour laws and collective agreements or leading to inferior working conditions. They also underline the potential instrumental use of standardisation to by-pass difficult collective bargaining process in the service sector.
The ETUC Leaflet 'The impact of standards on the world of work in Europe' summarises the main findings of the study as well as benefits and pitfalls.
Find out more in the study and in the leaflet!