CFDT, FO, CFTC UNSA and DGB with the support of the ETUC call for a ban on deregulation for SMES    Deregulation: no - Simplification: under strict conditions The Franco-German Initiative on the relief package for SMEs is disguised deregulation: SMEs fall in a legal no man’s land; Business cannot be above the law

Dear colleagues, It is with deep sadness that we have learned the terrible news of the earthquake in Morocco which - according to the information available to us at present - has caused the death of more than a thousand people, with a further thousand injured. The European Trade Union Confederation, with its 45 million members from 93 organisations in 41 countries, wishes to express its deepest solidarity with you, your members, their families and, beyond that, with all workers and people in Morocco. We will be organising a solidarity visit as soon as possible.

Esther Lynch, ETUC General Secretary, has written to Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market calling for an urgent meeting on the upcoming “SME relief package”. The text of the letter: Dear Vice-President Vestager, Dear Commissioner Breton, We are contacting you to ask for an urgent meeting on the upcoming “SME relief package” for small- and medium-sized companies, that we understand will be published next week by the European Commission.

Chère Sophie, La Confédération européenne des syndicats, qui représente plus de 45 millions de travailleurs en Europe, tient à exprimer son soutien et sa solidarité à la CGT et à Sébastien Menesplier, Secrétaire général de la Fédération nationale des mines et de l'énergie CGT. Nous sommes choqués que Sébastien Menesplier ait été convoqué par la gendarmerie de Montmorency pour les actions menées par les électriciens et gaziers pour protester contre la réforme néfaste du système de retraite français.

Madame la Première Ministre de France, Madame Borne, La Confédération européenne des syndicats représente plus de 90 organisations syndicales nationales - ainsi que dix fédérations syndicales européennes - regroupant plus de 45 millions de travailleurs à travers l'Europe. Je vous contacte pour vous faire part de l'inquiétude de la Confédération européenne des syndicats face aux développements en France qui vont manifestement pénaliser l'action syndicale en général.

Dear Commissioner Vestager,           We are writing to you to express our deep concern regarding comments made by Pierre Régibeau, the outgoing Chief Competition Economist DG Competition, with regard to European industry and to seek clarification regarding the Commission’s commitment to the future of European foundation industries and their highly-skilled workforce.