AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation and the Vienna Liaison Office in Brussels would like to cordially invite you to our joint webinar "Digital Services & Platform economy: Impact on cities, workers & consumers":

Apart from its new Digital Education Action Plan, the EU Commission also presented its vision on creating a European Education Area on 30 September 2020. Both Communications shall contribute to a speedy recovery and a better transition to a digital and green society.

Closed educational establishments, digital learning, fewer apprenticeships – the Coronavirus crisis also had a major impact on the education sector. However, it is the intention of the German Presidency to make progress especially in the areas of digitalisation and vocational training.

At the beginning of the recent electoral period of the EU, the European Commission under its President Ursula von der Leyen announced a series of initiatives in terms of digitalisation. By the end of the year 2020, the Commission will present a proposal to revise the legal rules regarding economic activities on online platforms. For the ongoing consultation, the AK provides a tool to facilitate the participation of platform workers.

Promoting digital skills and competences has long been one of the EU’s objectives; however, the Coronavirus crisis has once again clearly confirmed the urgency of appropriate measures. The intention is to give special support to disadvantaged groups of the population whilst at the same time avoiding that already existing gaps widen even more.

Hardly any technological development is racing at the speed of Artificial Intelligence. It is also playing a not to be underestimated role in connection with the COVID-19 crisis. However, in spite of all the advantages the technology has to offer, it is vital that employees, consumers and the environment are adequately protected against the dangers it poses.