Brussels, 06/05/2004 Message from ETUC, and ICFTU to the European Commission ‘The Chinese government is taking advantage of a liberal global trade regime by systematically exploiting its workers and violating their human and labour rights. This is unacceptable and the European Commission should deliver a strong message to the Chinese delegation visiting Brussels', John Monks, General Secretary of the ETUC, stated today.

Brussels, 05/05/2004 ETUC General Secretary John Monks today called on the European Commission Competition Directorate to initiate proceedings and conduct further investigation into the proposed merger of Group 4 Falck's security business with Securicor

Brussels, 27/04/2004 The European Trade Union Confederation warmly welcomes the 10 new Member States joining the European Union on 1 May.The ETUC is demanding strong political action to improve social and employment standards in the new Member States, so that all 455 million citizens of the wider Union can benefit fully from enlargement.

Brussels, 08/04/2004 The ETUC welcomes the European Commission proposal to reform EU legislation on chemicals: REACH The draft REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) regulation is an important step forward in protecting workers, the public in general and the environment, from the potential dangers posed by some 30,000 chemical substances manufactured or imported into the European Union in quantities of one tonne or more each year.

Brussels, 30/03/2004 On 31 March, the first phase of the European Commission's consultation on the revision of the 1993 Working Time Directive comes to an end. “We call the Commission to come up with proposals that challenge outmoded forms of work organisation. We look forward to proposals that stimulate modern and sustainable solutions for business and workers”, declared John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation.

Brussels, 25/03/2004 Today, during the meeting of the tripartite social summit for growth and employment, representatives of ETUC, UNICE/UEAPME and CEEP met the President of the European Council, Mr Ahern, and the President of the Commission, Mr Prodi, to take stock of implementation of the Lisbon strategy and present the social partners' contributions to the Spring European Council.

Brussels, 23/03/2004 Press Conference Brussels, 23rd March - The creation of a new Vice-President for competitiveness could be a fatal blow for social Europe - - Letter to Prodi - - Background information

Brussels, 19/03/2004 During the meeting of its Executive Committee (17-18 March), the ETUC defined the message that it will address during the Spring Summit: Lisbon goals of growth and competitiveness depend also on better jobs and social cohesion. “The social pillar is absolutely essential for innovation, productivity and economic growth. It is not something you do with the crumbs that are left on the table after the competitiveness pillar has had its dinner and dessert” says John Monks, General Secretary of the ETUC.

Brussels, 15/03/2004 The European Social Partners, ETUC, UNICE and CEEP joined together in condemning utterly the outrages in Madrid on 11 March, which are an assault on our common European values. We joined together in expressing support for the call by the President of the European Council for a three minutes' silence across Europe to commemorate the victims at midday Madrid time on Monday 15 March.

Brussels, 11/03/2004 The ETUC expresses its sympathy and condolences on the events which happened in Madrid this morning. This is a black day for democracy. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones in this outrage.

Brussels, 11/03/2004 “A market economy needs rules to ensure fair competition to prevent firms from competing on the basis of low standards” said John Monks, General Secretary of the ETUC, in a reaction to 9th March ECOFIN Ministers discussions.

Brussels, 03/03/2004 The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) calls upon the Employment and Social Affairs Ministers Meeting on 4 March to stress the quality of work and the improvement of working conditions in the conclusions of the Spring Summit to be held on 25-26 March 2004. “In order to restore the path of high productivity and high growth, Europe needs to put the quality of work and improvement of working conditions in the centre of policy making”, says John Monks, ETUC General Secretary.

Brussels, 16/02/2004 The ETUC strongly supports the Commission's draft directive on gender equality in the supply of goods and services which will be discussed by the women's rights committee of the European Parliament this week.