One of the main areas covered by EU labour law is working conditions. This includes provisions on working time, part-time, and fixed-term work, temporary workers, and the posting of workers. All of these areas are key to ensuring high levels of employment and social protection throughout the EU.

In line with its Treaty, the EU defines minimum requirements at European level in the field of working conditions. The Treaty gives the European social partners a special role in the preparation of labour law initiatives at EU level. The Commission encourages the social partners to conclude agreements in this field. The Commission can also put forward legislative proposals to the Council and the Parliament.

You can read about the EU’s work on the main issues affecting working conditions: 

• Transparent and predictable working conditions
• Individual Employment Conditions - Written Statement
• Fixed-Term Work
• Part-Time Work
• Temporary Agency Workers
• Health and Safety in Fixed-term and Temporary Employment
• Young People at Work
• Working Time Directive
• Sectoral Working Time
• Employer Insolvency
• Transfer of Undertakings
• Work-life balance