The EU presented a road map "quality employment" — Greece, as usual, is trailing behind

European Commission presented Quality Jobs Roadmap and began consultations on the preparation of new regulations Quality Jobs Act.

According to the Commission, the purpose of the initiative is to guarantee the rights of workers in the context of technological, economic and social transformations.

According to the Deputy President of the European Commission and Labor Commissioner Roxana Mintsiatu“every workplace in Europe should be a quality workplace” This, she said, would attract talent, reduce the proportion of working poor, increase competitiveness and strengthen social cohesion.

What is considered quality employment?

The Commission recognizes that there is no single universal definition. However, a quality workplace should provide:

• fair wages,
• safe and healthy conditions,
• protection from stress and risks,
• stability and security of employment,
• work-life balance,
• gender equality,
• access to skills and training,
• opportunities for professional growth,
• reliable social protection,
• coverage by collective agreements.

The roadmap emphasizes that quality employment is essential for innovation, productivity growth and the sustainability of European societies. However, there is a gap between principles and reality that in Greece becomes almost insurmountable.

Greek reality: the gap between promises and facts

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has repeatedly promised “lots of quality jobs,” pointing to rising employment and falling unemployment. But the system data ERGANI show that most new jobs are seasonal, low-paid and concentrated in tourism, food service and retail. These sectors create significant fluctuations in employment depending on the tourist season.

Despite the development of industry, technical and scientific professions, the bulk of vacancies in Greece continue to be low-quality and low-productivity jobs.

How Greece “passes the exam” according to the criteria EU

The assessment according to the Commission’s criteria gives a sad picture:

• Fair salary: Real incomes remain among the lowest in the EU in terms of purchasing power.
• Risk of poverty: 10.7% of working Greeks are at risk of poverty versus 8.2% in the EU.
• Occupational safety: Almost one fatal accident every two days makes talking about safe conditions a formality.
• Gender equality: Women earn on average 200 euros less than men, the gap widens in retirement.
• Work-life balance: The Greek working week is the longest in the EU, and new laws increase the risk of burnout.
• Collective bargaining: Only 2 in 10 workers are covered by CCE, while the EU target is 80%.

Future-proof work

The EU roadmap calls for creating jobs that are resilient to technological and social disruption. Particular attention is paid to the influence artificial intelligence and the need for “responsible technology adoption” while protecting workers.

The Commission emphasizes the importance of skills development, training, supporting businesses in the green and digital transition, and the need for sufficient investment.

Algorithms, stress and outsourcing

In the first phase of consultations, the issues of algorithmic labor management and AI occupy a central place. Although AI improves productivity, 84% of Europeans believe strict controls on its use are necessary.

In Greece, algorithmic control is still limited, but where it is used, employees complain of opacity and bias.

The use of digital technologies increases psychosocial risks. According to the Commission, 29% of Europeans experienced work-related stress, anxiety or depressive symptoms in 2025. In Greece, this problem is much more acute: among Gen Z workers, 53% experience stress, 60% experience burnout, and 46% believe that work affects their health and sleep.

Special attention is paid to outsourcing and “leased workers”. The Commission recognizes that complex chains of subcontracting often lead to abuses and violations of workers’ rights, especially in conditions of weak control.

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