Brussels, 6 July 2020
ETUC position on the New Industrial Strategy for Europe
Adopted at the ETUC Executive Committee of 2 July 2020
Summary of key messages
Time is running out: Concrete and rapid actions needed to enforce rights to worker involvement in anticipating and managing the COVID-19 crisis impact
Three months after the COVID-19 health crisis hit the world and thousands lost their lives, the European Union is now facing massive restructuring processes in different sectors.
Social dialogue, collective bargaining and worker involvement in the workplace are key to shape responsible restructuring processes.
Introduction of the European Social Partners Framework Agreement on Digitalisation
Esther Lynch, Deputy General Secretary
On the occasion of the signing of the Agreement at the Tripartite Social Summit, 23rd June 2020
Dear colleagues,
I would like to thank all of you for having made this virtual meeting of the TSS possible in the current difficult circumstances.
This is a significant opportunity for social partners to contribute to the management of the emergency, to the return to work and to the implementation of the recovery strategies.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, if not properly and timely addressed, are at risk of generating economic recession, massive unemployment, deterioration of working conditions and rights, increased inequality and social exclusion.
Madam President of the Commission,
Mr President of the Council,
Mr Prime Minister,
Honorable commissioners and ministers
Dear Colleagues,
Let me first remind you that the ETUC and the trade union organizations in Europe have called for an ambitious and large-scale recovery plan to respond to this unprecedented crisis that we will have to face. The Next Generation EU proposal responds to this request and we welcome it. Now it is necessary that this proposal be approved quickly so that the various measures can be deployed quickly.
The digital transformation of the economy is a multifaceted topic with large implications for labour markets, the world of work and society at large. It is dealt with in a variety of ways by EU member states, due to different social and economic situations, labour markets and industrial relations systems and existing initiatives, practices and collective agreements.
Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 9 June 2020
The social impact of the COVID-19 crisis makes it necessary to substantially amend the Commission proposal on revised Employment Guidelines
LGBT workers still suffer from discrimination in the world of work and in the society due to their sexual orientation.
In times of Covid, as in other crises, these rights are even more under threat, due to lack of legislative protection and underrepresentation in workplaces and society in general.