With only one in five European Works Councils (EWC) being effectively informed and consulted before a transnational decision is made in their company, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) keeps on advocating for a change to the European Works Council Directive (EWCD).
Last week, the European Commission and co-legislators reached a tripartite agreement on the Directive for a European Disability Card, marking a significant step towards enhancing accessibility and inclusivity across European Member States. The text was formally adopted today by COREPER. While this agreement signifies progress, it is imperative to acknowledge the pressing need to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, particularly concerning their entitlements when exercising their right to work and study abroad.
ETUC Resolution on the European Job Guarantee
Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 6-7 December 2023
The ETUC supports the idea of a European Job Guarantee, which would provide employment opportunities for the long-term unemployed through a state-run programme for job seekers unable to find opportunities in the open labour market. The Job Guarantee should be built on the following main principles:
Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 27-28 September 2023
In its legislative-initiative resolution[1]adopted by a large majority on 2 February 2023, the European Parliament called on the Commission to revise the European Works Council Directive[2] with the aim of strengthening European Works Councils (EWCs) and their ability to exercise their right to information and consultation.
ETUC position on the response to the Social Partner Consultation on CMRD6
Adopted at the Executive Committee of 27-28 September 2023
Introduction
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the European Commission’s intention to revise the Directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances at work (CMRD or Directive 2004/37/EC).
Yolanda Diaz, Second Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister of Labour and the Social Economy, addressed the ETUC Executive Committee on 28 September in Madrid.
Please find the text of the address (in Spanish) in the link.
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
ETUC reply to the first phase of the Social Partner Consultation on a possible revision of the European Works Council Directive (2009/38/EC)
Adopted by written procedure on 22 May 2023
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the European Commission’s intention to address the shortcomings of the European Works Council Directive (Directive 2009/38/EC) through a legally binding initiative.
Dear colleagues,
The ETUC and the ETUCE stand in solidarity with the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS) and the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees (LIZDA) in their mobilisation, protest and strike to ask the government to take responsibility and fulfil the agreement reached in September 2022 for salary adjustment and balancing of the workload of all education personnel at national level, by adopting amendments to the relevant normative acts.
ETUC Position on the Reform of the economic governance (toward an EU pact for employment and investments)
Position adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 30-31 March 2023
The reform of the economic governance of the European Union issued on 9 November 2022 should be assessed as insufficient. The European Commission's (EC) proposal appears inconsistent with both the Versailles Declaration of 11 March 2022 and Porto’s Social Summit Conclusions in 2021. Social and sustainability frameworks, such as the EPSR and SDGs, are disregarded.
The ETUC response to the High-Level Group report on the Future of Social Protection and of the Welfare State
Position adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 30-31 March 2023
Summary of the Position
a. The Final Report of the High-Level Group of experts on the future of social protection and the welfare state in the EU was launched on 7 February 2023.
The ETUC reiterates its very strong support for the French trade unions united in their mobilisation for social dialogue and against the pension reform in France.
The way in which the French pension reform was adopted, without any dialogue with social partners, is not acceptable.
The European Social model is based on social dialogue. The respect for social dialogue and for the role of social partners is a key component of democracy in Europe and must be promoted, not disregarded.
The European Trade Union Confederation and its affiliates, Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine and Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine, fully support Ukraine and its people in the fight for democracy and sovereignty against Russian aggression. That was a year of shock and pain, devastating news and images, but also a year of bravery and consolidation of Ukrainian people and their unions and a year of solidarity, unity and support.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has appointed an independent company with specialist expertise in anti-corruption practices in response to allegations of corruption involving public figures in and around the European Parliament, which resulted in the questioning and release under conditions of the former General Secretary of the ETUC.
The role and involvement of Social Partners in the European Semester and EU economic governance
ETUC document discussed at the Executive Committee Meeting of 27-28 October 2022
The ETUC encourages the European Commission to set up a more structured and binding framework for social partners involvement in the EU Semester having respect of national practices but mandating the national governments to consult social partners according to quality criteria, and report on the effectiveness of their involvement and its results.
ETUC Proposal for a SURE 2.0
ETUC Resolution adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 27-28 October 2022
IN A NUTSHELLThe ETUC proposes to refinance and scale up the current SURE instrument in the following manner:
Proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD) - Updated Roadmap to mobilise ahead of the EU trialogue
Discussed at the Executive Committee meeting of 27-28 October 2022
Summary of key messages
Based on the ETUC key demands as adopted by the Executive Committee in December 2019 in the ETUC Position calling for a European Directive on mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence and responsible business conduct[1], the ETUC position ‘Towards an EU law on mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence: indicative roadmap for ETUC actions in 2021-2022’ (December 2021)[2] as well as the ETUC Position ‘ETUC initial analysis of the Commission’s proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and updated roadmap for ETUC actions in 2022-2023” (March 2022)[3], the ETUC Executive Committee is asked to discuss and take note of this (updated) position paper which provides in particular a summary of the main amendments the ETUC intends to put forward to the European Parliament and Member States and other stakeholders as well as an overview and update of the actions undertaken March 2022 and some suggestions for further actions in view of the EU trialogue which is likely to start in Q2 in 2023 at the earliest.
Safeguarding the Right to Strike against Emergency Measures in the Single Market
Position adopted at the Executive Committee meeting of 27-28 October
ETUC key messages
This letter is a joint plea of trade unions, cooperative enterprises, and non-governmental organisations to the European institutions for an effective Directive on improving working conditions in platform work.
We do not oppose digitalisation but believe that it should always provide social improvements, respect working conditions, and be developed in cooperation with workers and trade unions.