D-WISE Network. Work inclusive, work wise

The Network of Social Integration Enterprises (D-WISE) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the public consultation on the future Quality Jobs Act, which has the potential to strengthen the social dimension of the European Union and promote a more inclusive, accessible and resilient labour market. 

As a European network focused on Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) and the labour market inclusion of people with disabilities, we consider the European Commission’s commitment to placing job quality at the centre of the EU policy agenda to be for the future of labour market. Quality employment is essential for social cohesion, competitiveness and sustainable growth, and must guarantee fair working conditions, equal opportunities, skills development and genuine inclusion for all workers. 

At a time when labour markets are being transformed by digitalisation, artificial intelligence, demographic change and the green transition, the Quality Jobs Act offers an important opportunity to turn the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the European Disability Strategy 2021-2030 and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) into concrete action. 

The Role of Work Integration Social Enterprises for People with Disabilities  

WISE plays a crucial role in creating quality jobs and supporting the inclusion of people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups. Through personalised support, tailored training and accessible workplaces, they help individuals access and sustain employment while contributing to social innovation and economic participation. 

D-WISE believes the future Quality Jobs Act should recognise WISEs and other social economy actors as key partners in delivering inclusive labour markets. Greater support is needed through improved access to funding, socially responsible public procurement, public-private cooperation in employment services and better collection of data demonstrating their social and economic impact. 

Examples such as Spain’s Social Initiative Special Employment Centres (CEEIS) show how social economy enterprises can successfully combine economic activity with social objectives while generating significant social and economic returns. 

Ensuring No One Is Left Behind 

Despite progress in recent years, people with disabilities continue to face significant barriers to employment, with an employment gap of more than 24 percentage points compared with people without disabilities. 

D-WISE stresses that digitalisation, artificial intelligence and new forms of work must not create new barriers or deepen existing inequalities. Quality employment for people with disabilities must include accessibility, reasonable accommodation, equal pay, career development, safe and healthy working conditions, protection from discrimination and respect for trade union rights. 

Ensuring Legislative Coherence 

The Quality Jobs Act should be fully aligned with the European Pillar of Social Rights, the European Disability Strategy, the Disability Employment Package, the European Accessibility Act and other EU measures supporting quality employment and labour market inclusion. 

To deliver meaningful change, public employment services should be strengthened and equipped to provide personalised guidance and support, while employers and social economy organisations should receive the resources needed to create more inclusive workplaces. 

Key Recommendations 

1. D-WISE urges the European Commission to ensure that the Quality Jobs Act: 
2. Recognises the strategic role of WISEs and other social economy actors in creating inclusive, quality jobs, and promotes partnerships to support workers with disabilities.  
3. Promotes socially responsible public procurement and suitable State aid to create and sustain quality employment.  
4. Supports businesses—especially social economy enterprises and SMEs—with guidance and incentives for inclusive recruitment, reasonable accommodation and accessible workplaces.  
5. Sets measurable targets to reduce the disability employment gap and improve job quality, while supporting national targets and monitoring.  
6. Promotes harmonised, more frequent Eurostat data collection on disability employment through the European Labour Force Survey, ideally monitored annually.  
7. Makes accessibility and reasonable accommodation central to quality employment.  
8. Ensures digitalisation, AI and new forms of work do not create additional barriers for people with disabilities.  
9. Strengthens European support for quality employment across the open labour market, sheltered employment and WISEs.  
10. Strengthens public employment services and personalised support through labour market transitions.  
11. Supports WISEs’ growth across Member States through tailored capacity-building, best-practice exchange and inclusion in national employment strategies, recognising their economic and social role. Ensures consistency with the European Pillar of Social Rights, the European Disability Strategy, the Disability Employment Package, occupational health and safety legislation and future European Union financial instruments.