28/11/2012

Brussels, 28/11/2012 Pregnancy and maternity protection is essential for achieving gender equality and the protection of women’s rights. There is evidence that maternity related discrimination is still a significant problem and increasing due to the crisis. This is a reason why, the ETUC and the EWL believe that the proposals put forward for a revised Directive would make a positive difference to millions of women and their babies. Women’s participation in labour market is crucial to our economy and the recovery.

Brussels, 27/11/2012 In Colombia, one of the most dangerous countries in the world for trade unionists, CUT-CGT-CTC have not been invited to discuss the proposal. Participation has also been lacking in Peru. The text refers to a “National Agreement” (Acuerdo Nacional) in which many trade unions like CUT and CATP and civil society organisations were not involved, while it also mentions the existence of an ECOSOC that has never been set up. In general, the two roadmaps do not address essential concerns and concrete and binding measures regarding :

Brussels, 16/11/2012 Says Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary: “Under pressure from the Troika, national governments are pushed to take measures which attack collective bargaining rights. We should take seriously the ILO message that this situation cannot continue. The European Union, recently awarded the Peace Nobel Prize, must remember why it was created: to guarantee peace, prosperity and social justice”. - ILO press release: http://www.ilo.org/brussels/press/press-releases/WCMS_193308/lang--en/index.htm

Brussels, 15/11/2012

Brussels, 12/11/2012

Brussels, 09/11/2012 The day of action on 14 November will take various forms: for example, there will be strikes in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy. For the first time in its history, an ETUC day of action will include simultaneous strikes in four countries. Strikes are not the only type of action involved. Demonstrations will be held in France and in some Eastern countries (Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Romania).

Brussels, 05/11/2012 For years now, Europe’s trade unions have been speaking out against austerity measures. These measures dragging Europe into economic stagnation, indeed recession with the result that growth has stopped and unemployment is rising inexorably. Cuts to salaries and social protection are attacking the European social model, worsening imbalances and fostering injustice.

Brussels, 26/10/2012 The decisions, following collective complaints to the ECSR by Greek public sector unions (including ETUC affiliate ADEDY), concerned two measures adopted in 2010 that extended the "trial period" during which workers can be dismissed without notice to one year and cut the minimum salary for workers under 25 years of age to two-thirds of the national minimum wage which meant that young Greek workers fell below the poverty line of 580 euros a month.

Brussels, 24/10/2012

Hanoi, 24/10/2012 (Check against delivery) Plenary Session III (General debate) Madam Minister, Dear friends, I have followed with great attention and great pleasure the debates of the day. I would like to pay tribute to our hosts who made us feel comfortable and made sure that the discussion could develop in a positive and friendly atmosphere. We are indeed very grateful that they gave the right and recognised place to our ASEM social partners' forum.

Brussels, 23/10/2012 Unsound science provided the basis for the Commission’s review of nanomaterial and there are serious inconsistencies between the Commission’s working document, which presents the Commission’s analysis of the situation, and the regulatory responses that address the safe production and use of nanomaterials.

Brussels, 15/10/2012 EUROPE MUST ADDRESS ITS SOCIAL DEBT The debt crisis and how to get out of it is being discussed everywhere. And so it should. But there is a social debt which is just as central to save Europe as the monetary debt.