ETUC Declaration on the COVID-19 Outbreak In addition to the text below agreed by the ETUC Executive Committee, the ETUC has  cancelled all its meetings until April 19 that involve its staff or members travelling abroad, and instructed its staff not to travel abroad for other meetings, as part of a package of measures to deal with Covid-19.   Adopted at the Executive Committee of the 9-10 March 2020

The European Trade Union Movement will welcome the forthcoming EU industrial strategy if the proposals are fair for workers, supportive of the most vulnerable regions and sectors and with sufficient funding to be implemented properly. Workers and trade unions are part of the solution and expect an inclusive governance process to shape and implement the strategy.   

Context

ETUC reply to the First Phase Consultation of Social Partners under Article 154 TFEU on a possible action addressing the challenges related to fair minimum wages

On 19 February 2020 the European Commission will announce its strategy for a Europe fit for the digital age.   The ETUC got reassurance from Commissioner Breton on 10 February that trade unions and workers’ representatives will be part of the solutions shaping a sustainable and socially acceptable digital transition within the EU industrial policy strategy, in particular via an inclusive governance structure.

A European directive on Human Rights due diligence and responsible business conduct including their supply chains will make the difference in better protecting workers rights and environmental standards. The Commission needs to act! In the next days, the European Commission will publish a report of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) on due diligence requirements for supply chains. The report analyses the state of play and the need for initiatives at European level, paving the way to a possible commission initiative.

Forthcoming European Commission Communication on Artificial Intelligence:  ETUC CALLS FOR AN AMBITIOUS STRATEGY RESPECTFUL OF WORKERS Ahead of the upcoming European Commission’s 2020 white paper on artificial intelligence, the European Trade Union Confederation reiterates the need for an ambitious European AI strategy to maintain and reinforce workers’ protection and involvement, and empower them to create sustainable use of AI tools.

On Tuesday 11 February, the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR), the main monitoring body of the Council of Europe European Social Charter, decided - on a complaint submitted by Italian union CGIL against the Italian government (No. 158/2017) - that the right to protection in cases of termination of employment was violated by Italian law.

Brussels 06 February 2020 Adopted at the Extraordinary Executive Committee Meeting of 6 February 2020

Today the UK leaves the EU. We send this message of support, solidarity and unity among working people. For trade unions there are no borders. We will continue our joint work to make working peoples voices heard, to insist on a level playing field to protect jobs and rights for workers in the UK and the EU. Working together during 2020 we will demand a future agreement that delivers for workers, their families and communities.

Statement to the EU-Ukraine Association Council, 28 January 2020 On the occasion of the EU-Ukraine Association Council that meets to assess the progress Ukraine has achieved in implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, the European and Ukrainian trade unions condemn the recent violations of this Agreement by the government of Ukraine, which introduced a number of amendments to the labour laws without any consultations with social partners as required by national and international legislation. 

ETUC Executive Committee statement on the lack of Social Dialogue on Labour Law reform in Ukraine Adopted at the Executive Meeting of 17-18 December 2019 The ETUC Executive Committee expresses its concerns about the perceived lack of willingness of the Ukrainian government to undertake a proper consultation process with the social partners on the Labour Law reform and pledges to raise this with the European Commission and Parliament.

Migration - ETUC letter to Members of the European Parliament