Brussels, 14/12/2007 To be checked against delivery To excuse the absence of John Monks, ETUC General Secretary – he is taking part in an important meeting of the International trade union movement in Washington. To congratulate the Presidency on the achievements and especially on the Reform Treaty. It is high time for Europe to concentrate its energies on the core issues that concern citizens and workers.

Brussels, 14/12/2007 The ETUC urged the European Council to follow the example of employment ministers, the European Parliament and the European social partners and take a balanced approach to common principles for flexicurity.

Brussels, 13/12/2007

Brussels, 11/12/2007

Brussels, 10/12/2007 With three month inter-bank interest rates shooting up to 4.86%, the financial crisis is intensifying. Higher finance costs, together with tightening credit standards and an overvalued euro exchange rate, are working to produce a significant slowdown in growth. To avoid a new slump in growth, interest rates should be cut, not raised.

Bruxelles, 07/12/2007 ETUC Deputy General Secretary Maria-Helena André will address the Africa-EU Summit, and will present the declaration adopted at the Africa-EU Trade Union Summit. The ETUC will be focusing on the following priorities:

Brussels, 06/12/2007 According to the ETUC, the increased cross-border mobility of workers, companies and agencies, signalling a Europeanisation of labour markets, demands minimum rules to ensure fair competition and protection of workers. However, the UK is leading a diminishing group of Member States in opposition, claiming that the proposals by the Portuguese presidency would harm the flexibility of its labour markets and cost jobs.

Ljubljana, 07/12/2007 To be checked against delivery

Brussels, 05/12/2007 European trade union leaders will examine the state of play regarding EU legislation on temporary agency workers, working time, European Works Councils and public services. They will also take a view on European Commission proposals on legal and 'illegal' migration, and on climate change, as well as on the recent turbulence in financial markets. The EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Joaquín Almunia, will attend the Executive Committee meeting this afternoon (5 December).

Brussels, 03/12/2007 “By approving the proposed Temporary Agency Workers Directive, you can extend much needed protection to several million vulnerable workers. You can revive the idea of an effective Social Europe. You can give reassuring substance to flexicurity.

Brussels, 30/11/2007

Brussels, 29/11/2007 The report of the European Parliament adopts key flexicurity principles such as the promotion of stable employment relationships, action against abusive practices in non-standard contracts, action to improve job security for all workers regardless of their employment status, the strengthening of employability, transition security (for workers between jobs), gender equality and work-life balance, social partnership and dialogue and a macroeconomic framework for more and better jobs.

Brussels, 26/11/2007 The UK has spearheaded opposition in Europe to the draft Temporary Agency Workers' Directive, which would bring agency workers' rights and conditions into line with permanent employees. John Monks is urging Labour MPs to lobby British ministers to change their position in advance of an EU Employment Council meeting on 5 December.