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.

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.

A dedicated just transition directive is needed to ensure the 2040 climate target announced by the European Commission can be met without further social unrest. Over the next 16 years, the Commission wants to achieve a 90% net reduction in reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels. Trade unions support climate action – but already agreed climate legislation fails to convince people in affected sectors and regions because the European Green Deal doesn’t yet take into account the social and labour impacts of the transition. Too narrow

This document is a joint ETUC and ETUI contribution on the occasion of the passing of Jacques Delors.

Dear President of the European Commission Ms Ursula von der Leyen, We are addressing you after receiving information about delays in the publication of initiative on quality traineeships. The EU needs to take action to make traineeships empowering not exploitative. We need rules that ensure quality traineeships provide a truly formative experience accessible to all, instead of exclusive opportunities available only to the lucky few, which furthermore often replace entry-level jobs that would have been taken by young workers.

Urgent call to reconsider the Presidency Proposal on the Directive on Improving Working Conditions in platform economy Letter sent to Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy and Employment   Dear Minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne, We address you this letter at the beginning of the Belgium Presidency, which we hope will be a successful one.

It is with great sadness that the ETUC learnt of the passing of former President of the European Commission, Jacques Delors. The trade union movement loses one of its own.   A committed trade unionist himself, his presidency of the European Commission was marked by a deep commitment to social dialogue, social justice and solidarity – values as relevant and even more needed today. 

Dear Josef, I am contacting you to express the solidarity and deepest condolences from the ETUC to the families of those killed and affected by the senseless shootings in Prague. We sincerely wish the injured a full recovery. We commend the responses of the university students and staff, as well as the emergency response workers, who reacted quickly in the face of the horrifying events. The European Trade Union Confederation and our trade union family reaches out in solidarity to CMKOS and we stand with you and your members on your national day of mourning tomorrow.

Position on the Review of the Mandate of the European Labour Authority Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 6-7 December 2023

Taxing the wealth for tackling social inequalities and climate change Adopted at the Executive Committee of 06-07 December 2023  

Macroeconomic challenges. ETUC priorities and strategy for 2024 Adopted at the Executive Committee of 06-07 December 2023   (ETUC STRATEGY FOR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN EU ECONOMICs)

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:

1. THE SITUATION OF YOUTH AT WORK IN THE COUNTRY 2. THE NATIONAL POLICIES ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  3. TRADE UNIONS AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY 4. THE EU INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  5. KEY POLICY POINTERS

1. THE SITUATION OF YOUTH AT WORK IN THE COUNTRY 2. THE NATIONAL POLICIES ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  3. TRADE UNIONS AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY 4. THE EU INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  5. KEY POLICY POINTERS

1. THE SITUATION OF YOUTH AT WORK IN THE COUNTRY 2. THE NATIONAL POLICIES ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  3. TRADE UNIONS AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY 4. THE EU INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  5. KEY POLICY POINTERS

1. THE SITUATION OF YOUTH AT WORK IN THE COUNTRY 2. THE NATIONAL POLICIES ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  3. TRADE UNIONS AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY 4. THE EU INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  5. KEY POLICY POINTERS

1. THE SITUATION OF YOUTH AT WORK IN THE COUNTRY 2. THE NATIONAL POLICIES ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  3. TRADE UNIONS AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY 4. THE EU INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  5. KEY POLICY POINTERS

1. THE SITUATION OF YOUTH AT WORK IN THE COUNTRY 2. THE NATIONAL POLICIES ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  3. TRADE UNIONS AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY 4. THE EU INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  5. KEY POLICY POINTERS

ETUC Position on the European Commission Proposal for an EU Talent Pool Adopted at the Meeting of 6 and 7 December 2023

ETUC Solidarity Statement with TESLA workers Statement adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 06-07 December 2023 The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) representing over 45 million workers and 93 trade union confederations and 10 European trade union federations in Europe offers all its support to the Swedish union IF Metall, in their demand for fairer working conditions via a collective agreement for Tesla workers in Sweden.

ETUC condemns the increasing criminalisation of LGBTIQ+ people and activists in Russia Statement adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 06-07 December 2023 Today the ETUC Executive Committee condemned a November 30 ruling by Russia's Supreme Court banning the activities of the "international LGBT movement" in the country. As there is no such organisation in existence, there was no defendant in court.

Across Europe, the real wages of millions of workers suffered a reduction not seen for many years. Now more than ever, ETUC calls for a pay rise: The cost of living crisis is putting additional pressure on workers who struggle to afford the most basic standard of living. Protecting purchasing power in the current cost of living crisis and closing the gap between high and low wages is crucial. Wage increases have, for too long, lagged behind productivity in many Member States.

Ahead of the forthcoming negotiating round with Indonesia, and given the increased commitments of the EU to Sustainable Development provisions within FTAs, the spotlight remains on Indonesia’s poor track record on labour rights.