The European Parliament's Employment Committee on 2 June 2026 held a hearing on the next EU strategic framework on health and safety at work post-2027, where trade unions and employers' representatives took opposite tacks on whether to introduce binding legislation or maintain flexibility. ETUC Senior Advisor Ignacio Doreste Hernandez welcomed the current framework's Vision Zero approach but pushed back on its lack of binding action on psychosocial risks and musculoskeletal disorders, calling for legislative obligations rather than soft law. He urged expanding Vision Zero to occupational diseases, closing gaps for domestic workers, and strengthening labour inspectorates. BusinessEurope's Clemens Etzerodt Ornstrup argued the framework directive remains a 'gold standard' and urged alignment with EU strategic priorities like the Critical Raw Materials Act, warning that OSH regulation must not become a barrier to competitiveness. He advocated for outcome-based regulation, reducing administrative burdens, and using social partner agreements to meet obligations, citing the minimum wage directive as a model.
DG EMPL Deputy Director General Stefan Olsson noted the framework's added value in bundling legislation, tools, and funding, and confirmed an external study and advisory committee opinion will feed into the new strategy. EU-OSHA Executive Director William Cockburn stressed the need to address digital, green, and demographic transitions, psychosocial risks, and non-standard employment, while improving data for monitoring. ILO's Joaquim Pintado Nunes highlighted alignment between the EU framework and the ILO global strategy, urging universal ratification of fundamental OSH conventions.
The hearing exposed a central cleavage between prioritising legislative action (ETUC) and flexibility for competitiveness (BusinessEurope). Workers would benefit from binding rules on psychosocial risks and musculoskeletal disorders, reducing stress-related illness and injury. Employers and SMEs could face higher compliance costs and administrative burdens under a more prescriptive approach, potentially impacting competitiveness. Labour inspectorates would require stronger mandates and resources to enforce new obligations. Social partners would play a key role in negotiating agreements under the BusinessEurope model. Next steps include Commission reporting on directive implementation and stakeholder consultations.