In collaboration with the European Parliament and the Office for the Promotion of European Research Activities (OPERA).

Innovative cases on working time reduction and flexible working time arrangements in Europe

June 12th

European Parliament in Brussels, 60 rue Wiertz, B-1047 – Brussels

Room: SPAAK 7C50

This video is available in the following languages:

Contents

Agenda

8:00. Arrival and Registration

9:30 – 9:40 Welcoming words

Anthony Smith, MEP from The Left

9:40-10:10 Keynote speech

Prof. Dr. Ana Belén Muñoz Ruiz (University Carlos III of Madrid) – The INNOVAWORKING project: findings

10:10 – 10:50 Working time and new technology

Prof. Dr. Jesús R. Mercader (University Carlos III of Madrid) /
Agnieszka Piasna, Senior researcher (ETUI).

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Alexander De Becker, Professor of Labour Law at Ghent University.

Group picture
Coffee break (30 minutes).

11:20-12:20. Working time reduction: the position of social partners

Fernando Luján Frías, UGT Deputy General Secretary for Trade Union Policy

Raúl Olmos Mata, from the Secretariat for Trade Union Action and Employment at CCOO

Tea Jarc, ETUC Confederal Secretary

Rosa Santos, Head of the Employment, Diversity and Social Protection Department of CEOE

Ángela de Miguel Sanz, president of CEPYME

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Francisco Javier Gómez Abelleira (University Carlos III of Madrid).

12:20-14:00. Networking Lunch & Presentation Ebook

Prof. Dr. Alexander De Becker, Professor of Labour Law at Ghent University.
 

14:00-15:30. Innovative case studies in France, Finland, The Netherlands, Ireland, Hungary and Spain. The role of national regulation and collective agreements

Authors of comparative case studies INNOVAWORKING.

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Adrián Todolí Signes (University of Valencia)

15:30 – 15:45 Closing remarks

Prof. Dr. Ana Belén Muñoz Ruiz (University Carlos III of Madrid)

Researchers and Experts

Anthony Smith is a committed trade unionist and political activist; became a labour inspector to defend workers’ rights. A key figure in the CGT within the Ministry of Labour for over ten years, he also engaged in collectives such as the Copernic Foundation and the House of Whistleblowers. In 2020, he was sanctioned for demanding protective measures for home care workers during the lockdown, leading to a successful legal battle for his reinstatement—recounted in his book 918 Days. Involved with the Union Populaire, he supported Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s 2022 presidential campaign, ran in the legislative elections with NUPES, and became a Member of the European Parliament in 2024. Within the European Parliament, he is particularly active on issues related to occupational health and safety, working conditions, and labour rights.
Anthony Smith is a committed trade unionist and political activist; became a labour inspector to defend workers’ rights. A key figure in the CGT within the Ministry of Labour for over ten years, he also engaged in collectives such as the Copernic Foundation and the House of Whistleblowers. In 2020, he was sanctioned for demanding protective measures for home care workers during the lockdown, leading to a successful legal battle for his reinstatement—recounted in his book 918 Days. Involved with the Union Populaire, he supported Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s 2022 presidential campaign, ran in the legislative elections with NUPES, and became a Member of the European Parliament in 2024. Within the European Parliament, he is particularly active on issues related to occupational health and safety, working conditions, and labour rights.
Prof. Dr. Ana Belen Muñoz is Professor of Employment Law at Carlos III University. Member of the scientific committee of the XVI European Regional Congress, Ghent (Belgium), 2023, organised by the International Society for Labour and Social Security Law (ISLSSL). Her research focuses particularly on the impact of emerging technology in companies (artificial intelligence, algorithms, etc.) and challenges of Collective Agreements after the labour law reforms in Spain. She also has extensively participated in European-funded projects (Eusocialcit, GDPiR, Newefin, etc.).
Prof. Dr. Ana Belen Muñoz is Professor of Employment Law at Carlos III University. Member of the scientific committee of the XVI European Regional Congress, Ghent (Belgium), 2023, organised by the International Society for Labour and Social Security Law (ISLSSL). Her research focuses particularly on the impact of emerging technology in companies (artificial intelligence, algorithms, etc.) and challenges of Collective Agreements after the labour law reforms in Spain. She also has extensively participated in European-funded projects (Eusocialcit, GDPiR, Newefin, etc.).

 

Prof. Dr. Jesús R. Mercader Uguina is Professor of Labour Law at Carlos III University and a leading expert in the field of Labour Law and Industrial Relations. He has served as Legal Adviser at the Spanish Constitutional Court (2000-2003) and has acted as General Counsel at Carlos III University (2007-2015). His research has been highly valued by legal scholars, as his books address new challenges in the field of Employment Law and industrial relations.
Prof. Dr. Jesús R. Mercader Uguina is Professor of Labour Law at Carlos III University and a leading expert in the field of Labour Law and Industrial Relations. He has served as Legal Adviser at the Spanish Constitutional Court (2000-2003) and has acted as General Counsel at Carlos III University (2007-2015). His research has been highly valued by legal scholars, as his books address new challenges in the field of Employment Law and industrial relations.
Agnieszka Piasna is Senior Researcher in the Economic, Employment and Social Policies Unit of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) in Brussels, and Associate Researcher at the Centre for Sociological Research at KU Leuven. Her current research interests focus on job quality, digitalisation, gender equality, labour market policies and regulation. She has coordinated the ETUI Internet and Platform Work Survey, developed the European Job Quality Index, and is actively involved in research and public debate on working time reduction, including as a co-founding member of the Work Time Reduction Research Network (www.wtr-rn.com). She holds a PhD in labour economics from the University of Cambridge.
Agnieszka Piasna is Senior Researcher in the Economic, Employment and Social Policies Unit of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) in Brussels, and Associate Researcher at the Centre for Sociological Research at KU Leuven. Her current research interests focus on job quality, digitalisation, gender equality, labour market policies and regulation. She has coordinated the ETUI Internet and Platform Work Survey, developed the European Job Quality Index, and is actively involved in research and public debate on working time reduction, including as a co-founding member of the Work Time Reduction Research Network (www.wtr-rn.com). She holds a PhD in labour economics from the University of Cambridge.
Alexander De Becker is professor of labour law at Ghent University since 2016. He previously worked at the Universities of Brussels, Amsterdam, Hasselt and Leiden. He has been involved in numerous national and international research projects, including collaborations with Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. He is currently a member of the expert committee on the Codification of the Belgian Labour Code and the advisory committee of the Labour Law Research Network. He co-organised the ISLSSL-congress in Ghent in September 2023. He has held Chairs at other universities, most recently at the Universities of Bologna (2025) and Torino (2022).
Alexander De Becker is professor of labour law at Ghent University since 2016. He previously worked at the Universities of Brussels, Amsterdam, Hasselt and Leiden. He has been involved in numerous national and international research projects, including collaborations with Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. He is currently a member of the expert committee on the Codification of the Belgian Labour Code and the advisory committee of the Labour Law Research Network. He co-organised the ISLSSL-congress in Ghent in September 2023. He has held Chairs at other universities, most recently at the Universities of Bologna (2025) and Torino (2022).
Fernando Luján holds a degree in Law from the Complutense University of Madrid, with a specialist diploma in Labour and Social Security Law. He has practised as a lawyer specialising in Labour Law and Social Security for more than 31 years. Fernando Luján joined UGT in 1988 and he is currently Deputy Secretary General for Trade Union Policy, where he participates and leads the trade union position in negotiations at the Social Dialogue, addressing issues such as labour reform, reduction of working hours, minimum wage, occupational health, public pensions, among others. He has led the claim, before the European Committee of Social Rights of the Council of Europe, for the regulation of dismissals in Spain. He combines all this with teaching Labour Law and Social Security at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. In 2022 he was appointed Corresponding Academician of the Royal Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation of Spain, being the first trade unionist to achieve this honour.
Fernando Luján holds a degree in Law from the Complutense University of Madrid, with a specialist diploma in Labour and Social Security Law. He has practised as a lawyer specialising in Labour Law and Social Security for more than 31 years. Fernando Luján joined UGT in 1988 and he is currently Deputy Secretary General for Trade Union Policy, where he participates and leads the trade union position in negotiations at the Social Dialogue, addressing issues such as labour reform, reduction of working hours, minimum wage, occupational health, public pensions, among others. He has led the claim, before the European Committee of Social Rights of the Council of Europe, for the regulation of dismissals in Spain. He combines all this with teaching Labour Law and Social Security at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. In 2022 he was appointed Corresponding Academician of the Royal Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation of Spain, being the first trade unionist to achieve this honour.
Raúl Olmos Mata was born in Madrid in 1967. He holds a degree in Geography and History, specializing in Contemporary History, from Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM). He started working in the Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica and joined CCOO in 1990, when he was elected as a union delegate. He later held various sectoral positions. In 2009, he was elected in Federación de Servicios a la Ciudadanía (federation of citizens’ services) as a member of the Executive Board and Head of different departments (Employment; Collective Bargaining; Organization; and finally Trade Union Action). In 2021, after the XII Congress of CCOO, he became Assistant Secretary of Trade Union Action and Employment, a position he holds to this day.
Raúl Olmos Mata was born in Madrid in 1967. He holds a degree in Geography and History, specializing in Contemporary History, from Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM). He started working in the Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica and joined CCOO in 1990, when he was elected as a union delegate. He later held various sectoral positions. In 2009, he was elected in Federación de Servicios a la Ciudadanía (federation of citizens’ services) as a member of the Executive Board and Head of different departments (Employment; Collective Bargaining; Organization; and finally Trade Union Action). In 2021, after the XII Congress of CCOO, he became Assistant Secretary of Trade Union Action and Employment, a position he holds to this day.
Tea Jarc is Confederal Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). She leads initiatives on collective bargaining, wage coordination, quality jobs, platform work, and tackling precarious work. She is responsible for implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights, youth employment policies, EU enlargement, and shaping regional and social cohesion policies. Before her election in 2023, she was president of a Slovenian trade union, advocating for fair wages, decent working conditions, and stronger worker representation in emerging sectors such as the platform economy. From 2019 to 2022, she also served as President of the ETUC Youth Committee, promoting workers’ rights and social justice across Europe.
Tea Jarc is Confederal Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). She leads initiatives on collective bargaining, wage coordination, quality jobs, platform work, and tackling precarious work. She is responsible for implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights, youth employment policies, EU enlargement, and shaping regional and social cohesion policies. Before her election in 2023, she was president of a Slovenian trade union, advocating for fair wages, decent working conditions, and stronger worker representation in emerging sectors such as the platform economy. From 2019 to 2022, she also served as President of the ETUC Youth Committee, promoting workers’ rights and social justice across Europe.

Rosa Santos is Director of Employment, Diversity and Social Protection at CEOE. She has represented Spanish employers in major social dialogue processes, including negotiations on furlough schemes (ERTES), labour and pension reforms, the Teleworking Law, the Riders’ Law, and equality policies. She is a member of several public bodies such as the INSS, TGSS, SEPE, FOGASA, and the National Commission for Health and Safety at Work. Previously, she served as Director-General for Labour in Aragon, Secretary General of CREA, Director of the Aragon Mediation and Arbitration Service, Labour Law professor at the University of Zaragoza, Substitute Magistrate in the Social Courts, and Senator, where she held key roles in employment and ecological transition committees. She has also taken part in numerous lectures, roundtables and publications throughout her career.

Rosa Santos is Director of Employment, Diversity and Social Protection at CEOE. She has represented Spanish employers in major social dialogue processes, including negotiations on furlough schemes (ERTES), labour and pension reforms, the Teleworking Law, the Riders’ Law, and equality policies. She is a member of several public bodies such as the INSS, TGSS, SEPE, FOGASA, and the National Commission for Health and Safety at Work. Previously, she served as Director-General for Labour in Aragon, Secretary General of CREA, Director of the Aragon Mediation and Arbitration Service, Labour Law professor at the University of Zaragoza, Substitute Magistrate in the Social Courts, and Senator, where she held key roles in employment and ecological transition committees. She has also taken part in numerous lectures, roundtables and publications throughout her career.

Ángela de Miguel Sanz is a prominent Spanish lawyer and business leader, currently serving as the president of CEPYME, the main employers’ association for small and medium-sized enterprises in Spain. She holds a Law degree from the University of Deusto and a master’s in Democracy and Good Governance from the University of Salamanca. Founder and managing partner of Abogados Negotia, a law firm focused on corporate legal advice, she also teaches in the international area of the MBA at CEU San Pablo University. Her extensive leadership experience includes serving as president of the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Valladolid (AJE-Valladolid), president of CEOE Valladolid since 2014, and vice-president and spokesperson of CEOE Castilla y León. She also sits on the executive boards of both CEOE and CEPYME. Internationally, she is vice-president of the Spanish Association of Women Entrepreneurs (AMMDE) and president of the Mexico-Spain Business Association. Her career reflects a strong commitment to enterprise development, legal expertise, and institutional representation.
Ángela de Miguel Sanz is a prominent Spanish lawyer and business leader, currently serving as the president of CEPYME, the main employers’ association for small and medium-sized enterprises in Spain. She holds a Law degree from the University of Deusto and a master’s in Democracy and Good Governance from the University of Salamanca. Founder and managing partner of Abogados Negotia, a law firm focused on corporate legal advice, she also teaches in the international area of the MBA at CEU San Pablo University. Her extensive leadership experience includes serving as president of the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Valladolid (AJE-Valladolid), president of CEOE Valladolid since 2014, and vice-president and spokesperson of CEOE Castilla y León. She also sits on the executive boards of both CEOE and CEPYME. Internationally, she is vice-president of the Spanish Association of Women Entrepreneurs (AMMDE) and president of the Mexico-Spain Business Association. Her career reflects a strong commitment to enterprise development, legal expertise, and institutional representation.
Prof. Dr. Francisco Javier Gómez Abelleira is Professor in Labour and Employment Law at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. He also has extensively participated in collaborative research projects, including European-funded projects (Eusocialcit, Newefin, Diadse, etc.). He has a large experience on EU law and the practical perspective of Spanish labour law.
Prof. Dr. Francisco Javier Gómez Abelleira is Professor in Labour and Employment Law at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. He also has extensively participated in collaborative research projects, including European-funded projects (Eusocialcit, Newefin, Diadse, etc.). He has a large experience on EU law and the practical perspective of Spanish labour law.
Prof. Dr. Dagmar Schiek is a full Professor of EU Law and Labour Law at University College Dublin’s (UCD) Sutherland School of Law from November 2023. She directs RIGHTS TO UNITE, a project which develops a new socio-legal theory of European integration, funded by an ERC Advanced Grant. From September 2011 she holds a Jean Monnet ad personam Chair for EU law, having been a professor of European Union Law from 2000 (University Carl von Ossietzky, Oldenburg), coming to this position from a background as comparative labour lawyer and anti-discrimination lawyer (in which capacity she also drafted anti-discrimination legislation in Germany). She migrated to the UK in 2007 as a professor of EU Law (University of Leeds – 2007, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) -2014).
Prof. Dr. Dagmar Schiek is a full Professor of EU Law and Labour Law at University College Dublin’s (UCD) Sutherland School of Law from November 2023. She directs RIGHTS TO UNITE, a project which develops a new socio-legal theory of European integration, funded by an ERC Advanced Grant. From September 2011 she holds a Jean Monnet ad personam Chair for EU law, having been a professor of European Union Law from 2000 (University Carl von Ossietzky, Oldenburg), coming to this position from a background as comparative labour lawyer and anti-discrimination lawyer (in which capacity she also drafted anti-discrimination legislation in Germany). She migrated to the UK in 2007 as a professor of EU Law (University of Leeds – 2007, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) -2014).
Prof. Dr. Nuria Ramos Martín is currently a distinguished senior researcher at the University of Salamanca. She has been the project coordinator of the EU Jean Monnet Project EU labour law perspectives and contributed as expert to several reports for the European Commission, the European Parliament and the EU Agency SOCIEUX+ on telework, precarious work in Europe, platform work and transparent and predictable working conditions in the EU. She was gender coordinator of the Horizon 2020 project EUSOCIALCIT- European Social Citizenship. Dr. Ramos Martin participated in the Innovaworking project in 2024 (as researcher from THUAS – cooperator institution in the project).
Prof. Dr. Nuria Ramos Martín is currently a distinguished senior researcher at the University of Salamanca. She has been the project coordinator of the EU Jean Monnet Project EU labour law perspectives and contributed as expert to several reports for the European Commission, the European Parliament and the EU Agency SOCIEUX+ on telework, precarious work in Europe, platform work and transparent and predictable working conditions in the EU. She was gender coordinator of the Horizon 2020 project EUSOCIALCIT- European Social Citizenship. Dr. Ramos Martin participated in the Innovaworking project in 2024 (as researcher from THUAS – cooperator institution in the project).
Prof. Dr. Minna van Gerven is an internationally recognized scholar that specializes in comparative social policy. Her research expertise focuses on the politics and policymaking of employment policy and social security, and EU Social Policy. She has been involved in various European research projects, also as a PI in the recent DG Employment project DEFEN-CE (VS/2021/0196) Social Dialogue in defense of vulnerable groups in post-COVID-19 labour market.
Prof. Dr. Minna van Gerven is an internationally recognized scholar that specializes in comparative social policy. Her research expertise focuses on the politics and policymaking of employment policy and social security, and EU Social Policy. She has been involved in various European research projects, also as a PI in the recent DG Employment project DEFEN-CE (VS/2021/0196) Social Dialogue in defense of vulnerable groups in post-COVID-19 labour market.
Prof. Dr. Sára Húngler teaches Hungarian, European and international labour law, social policy, equality and human rights in various (Hungarian and international) undergraduate and Master level courses as well as in the ELTE Doctoral School. She participated in international research projects. Most recently she has been working in the H2020 ETHOS project on creating a new integrative perspective on justice and fairness. She is currently researching social integration in the Visegrad countries.
Prof. Dr. Sára Húngler teaches Hungarian, European and international labour law, social policy, equality and human rights in various (Hungarian and international) undergraduate and Master level courses as well as in the ELTE Doctoral School. She participated in international research projects. Most recently she has been working in the H2020 ETHOS project on creating a new integrative perspective on justice and fairness. She is currently researching social integration in the Visegrad countries.
Prof. Dr. Pablo Gimeno Díaz de Atauri is an Associate professor of Labour Law at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (with an extraordinary doctorate award). He also holds a degree in Economics and Law from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. His research combines a legal and economic vision in the different areas related to the labour market, collective bargaining and industrial relations. His main lines of research focus on the effects of labour reforms, as well as on the valuation of work and wage transparency in terms of gender.
Prof. Dr. Pablo Gimeno Díaz de Atauri is an Associate professor of Labour Law at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (with an extraordinary doctorate award). He also holds a degree in Economics and Law from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. His research combines a legal and economic vision in the different areas related to the labour market, collective bargaining and industrial relations. His main lines of research focus on the effects of labour reforms, as well as on the valuation of work and wage transparency in terms of gender.
Prof. Dr. Adrián Todolí-Signes is a full professor of Labor Law at the University of Valencia, with degrees in Economics and Law. He has published over a hundred academic works, including peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and monographs. His research focuses on regulating the digital economy, platform work, and algorithmic management. He has lectured internationally at universities and startup forums. Notably, he presented “Making algorithms safe for workers: occupational risks associated with work managed by artificial intelligence” and authored How employment rights improve the economy, published by HART. He received the best young lawyer award from the Spanish Labor Forum (FORELAB) and twice won the Best Research Prize in Labor Law from the Spanish Association of Labor and Social Security Law (AEDTSS) in 2015 and 2016, for studies on dual vocational training and performance evaluation. He has collaborated with the European Commission on youth employment and Gig economy regulation and has been appointed expert on platform work by the ILO.
Prof. Dr. Adrián Todolí-Signes is a full professor of Labor Law at the University of Valencia, with degrees in Economics and Law. He has published over a hundred academic works, including peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and monographs. His research focuses on regulating the digital economy, platform work, and algorithmic management. He has lectured internationally at universities and startup forums. Notably, he presented “Making algorithms safe for workers: occupational risks associated with work managed by artificial intelligence” and authored How employment rights improve the economy, published by HART. He received the best young lawyer award from the Spanish Labor Forum (FORELAB) and twice won the Best Research Prize in Labor Law from the Spanish Association of Labor and Social Security Law (AEDTSS) in 2015 and 2016, for studies on dual vocational training and performance evaluation. He has collaborated with the European Commission on youth employment and Gig economy regulation and has been appointed expert on platform work by the ILO.

Registration

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Disclaimer and funding acknowledgement

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.