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.
Brussels, 19 June 2020
Adopted at the Extraordinary Executive Committee meeting of 9 June 2020
ETUC Resolution on the EU recovery strategy after the COVID-19 outbreak
The context
Europe is facing the worst recession since the 1930s, following the worst pandemic in the last hundred years.
Brussels 11 June 2020
ETUC resolution on European Green Deal initiatives: Climate Law, EU Sustainable Investment Plan, Just Transition Fund Regulation and new EU Industrial Strategy
Adopted at the ETUC Executive Committee of 9 June 2020
Summary of key messages
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.
The ETUC Women’s Committee stands beside women from across Europe who are fighting to fulfil their rights to safe, legal and fully comprehensive reproductive healthcare.
The ETUC Women’s Committee particularly supports Polish women who are protesting against a bill, submitted through the citizens’ initiative which aims to introduce a full ban on abortion. The bill is currently being discussed in the Polish Parliament.
Trade Unions are always here continuing to fight for…
This year we celebrate a Labour Day out of the norm. Generally, thousands of workers would have taken to the streets to celebrate this day, but, this year, this will not be possible due to the current COVID-19 crisis.
28/04/2020 : Letter to the European Commission on the Youth Guarantee
Dear President von der Leyen,
Dear Commissioner Schmit,
In recent weeks every aspect of our life as we know it has been turned around. The European Union is once again under scrutiny and we are under strong pressure to demonstrate to the citizens that it can offer strategies on how to overcome the consequences of the pandemic.