ETUC support for the ILO Global Coalition for Social Justice
Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 26-27 March 2024
Europe has a social justice emergency. The ETUC is at the forefront of the fight for a fair deal for workers, their families and their communities throughout Europe.
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).
Brussels, 11 March 2024
Letter sent to Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President of the European Commission
Dear Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis
Dear Prime Minister Kallas,
I am reaching out to you on behalf of working people and trade unions across Europe to ask you to support the Directive on Improving Working Conditions in Platform Work
Your support, Estonia’s support, is the decisive factor for the adoption of the Directive.
I understand that your government will decide closer to the vote in EPSCO on Monday 11th of March on its position.
Brussels 06/03/2024
Dear Mr Arras, Dear Mr Pozzana,
Over the past two years, we have met on several occasions at events related to the advocacy for the Platform Work Directive.
Dear President,
Dear members of the Permanent Representations to the EU,
On 10 February, the military junta of Myanmar announced that they will begin mandatory military conscription. We, ETUC and all European Industry Federations (EIFs), completely oppose this shocking announcement and on behalf of workers and trade unions in Myanmar and their international trade union representation, we call on the EU Member States to agree on urgent EU action as soon as possible.
Esther Lynch wrote to the Spanish trade unions expressing the condolences and solidarity of the ETUC for the residential building fire that took place in Valencia.
Dear colleagues,
I am writing on behalf of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) to express our deepest condolences and unwavering solidarity in the wake of the tragic fire that recently struck a residential building in Valencia, Spain.
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:
On October 16, 2023, the European Parliament’s lead committees, the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and the Committee on International Trade (INTA) adopted, with an overwhelming majority, their position on the proposed on the proposed EU Forced Labour Regulation.
The ETUC joined forces with civil society organisations to urge the EU Council to speed up negotiations to adopt a General Approach.
The letter outlines four core elements that must be included in the Council's position:
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.
The ETUC stands with teachers and their European trade union federation, the ETUCE, for the European Week of Teachers. The week of action aims to raise policy solutions in their 10 key demands to make teaching more attractive.
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).
The European Commission recently published its long-awaited BEFIT (Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation) proposal for the taxation of large multinational companies.
It follows a long-term effort to introduce group taxation with a formula for allocating taxable profits where value is created (in terms of payroll, number of employees, assets). This was the intended objective of the CCTB and CCCTB proposals, which have now been withdrawn from the European agenda.
It is with sorrow that we learnt about the passing away of MEP Véronique Trillet-Lenoir earlier this month. Her remarkable dedication to the health and safety of workers will be remembered.
As a public servant dedicated to achieving health and safety at work, MEP Trillet-Lenoir demonstrated a solid commitment to improving the lives of workers throughout the EU. Her recent involvement in the revision of the Directive on asbestos at work demonstrated her dedication and commitment to making workplaces safer for all.
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.
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.
Working people always suffer in conflicts and the pursuit of peace is a fundamental trade union value.
On 24 February 2022 Russian military forces invaded Ukraine, bringing destruction to peaceful cities and workplaces. It has been 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.