A strong competitive position within the EU is essential for maintaining and creating quality jobs in Denmark and across Europe. However, this must never become a race to the bottom. We must invest in workers’ skills so that everyone can contribute to a strong and competitive Europe that offers quality jobs for all.
Explore FH’s position on how we can foster fair competitiveness in the EU.
Key figures
40%
workers in the EU are in non-standard employment
47%
of adults in the EU have participated in education and training within the past 12 months<br><br>
50%
of new jobs will require new skills by 2030
Strong Competition Takes Place on Fair Conditions
The Danish Trade Union Confederation (FH) supports the EU’s ambition to strengthen European competitiveness, but workers must not be overlooked. Competitiveness should go hand in hand with respect for workers’ rights and investment in skills development.
The EU can and should not compete with the rest of the world by cutting wages or weakening social protection.
FH believes that the EU should instead prioritise lifelong learning and upskilling, so that everyone can contribute to a strong and competitive Europe. At present, both the green and digital transitions are placing significant and new demands on Europe’s workers. Some jobs are disappearing, new ones are being created, and traditional tasks are changing.
If the EU is to keep up, substantial investment in education and training is needed. This applies to both the basic skills of young people and opportunities for adult workers to further develop and strengthen their competences.
The social partners are best placed to identify the labour market needs. It is therefore crucial that the social partners have real influence on skills development and continuing training — as is the case in Denmark.
The European Pillar of Social Rights
The right to education and lifelong learning is one of the 20 rights and principles set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights, which aims to ensure better living and working conditions across the EU.
Education, training and life-long learning: “Everyone has the right to quality and inclusive education, training and life-long learning in order to maintain and acquire skills that enable them to participate fully in society and manage successfully transitions in the labour market.
We Know It Can Be Done
At FH, we know it is possible.
The path to strong competitiveness goes through lifelong learning, upskilling across sectors and educational levels — and a strong social dialogue. In this way, the social partners can work together to create quality jobs and a healthy framework for growth.
The EU can help ensure the protection of workers while also respecting national labour market models.
Denmark is a good example of how respect for workers’ rights can go hand in hand with economic growth, strong competitiveness, and the provision of quality jobs for workers.
A well-functioning labour market with fair working conditions contributes to both growth and well-being.
The EU should lead the way and demonstrate that fair competition can take place on fair terms — to the benefit of today’s workers and, not least, in light of a potential EU enlargement.
