Signing of new work program to boost EU Personal Services Sector

On 12 November 2024, Coiffure EU and UNI Europa Hair & Beauty convened at the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Personal Services’ annual plenary session, marking a significant moment with the signing of the 2025-2026 joint work program. This ambitious roadmap, set by social partners, aims to address key challenges in the hairdressing sector through targeted initiatives in working conditions, social partner capacity, and health and safety standards.

The session also paid tribute to Dimitris Theodorakis, the outgoing Director of UNI Europa Hair & Beauty, for advancing hairdressers’ rights and well-being across Europe. His efforts in implementing the European Framework Agreement on Occupational Health and Safety have greatly enhanced hairdressers’ occupational health and safety.

The 2025/2026 work program focuses on three primary objectives:

1. Sector attractiveness: The program tackles workforce recruitment and retention by improving working conditions, training, and highlighting different career pathways.
2. Social partner capacity: To strengthen collective bargaining, the social partners aim to support EU and national-level social partner co-operation. A collective bargaining report will soon provide insights on effective practices for the sector.
3. Health and Safety: The social partners will continue implementing the autonomous hairdressing agreement and will promote the protective glove standard for hairdressers, scheduled for publication by the end of 2025.

Mark Coray, Vice-President, Coiffure EU congratulated the Committee: “This work program is a vital step forward, ensuring the hairdressing sector remains attractive, sustainable, and safe for all professionals. By addressing the challenges together, we can create a stronger industry that supports both business and workers’ needs.”

Stefan van Linden, President, UNI Europa Hair and Beauty conveyed the significance of the work program for the sector: “Our commitment to fair working conditions, robust health and safety standards, and social dialogue is at the heart of this program. Together, we are setting a new standard for what social dialogue in the hairdressing sector can achieve across Europe.”

Mark Bergfeld, the new director of UNI Europa Hair & Beauty, expanded on the broader impact of this EU-level agreement: “Hairdressers deserve better, and this new work program provides a framework for meaningful improvements. By strengthening EU-level social dialogue, we aim to revitalize social dialogue and bargaining across Member States as well.”