Brussels, 04/02/2009 ETUC welcomes the general principle of back payment of wages to migrant workers and the introduction of administrative and criminal sanctions against employers. These measures could play a dissuasive role on rogue businesses. But the directive will be difficult to enforce in practice because the agreed text fails to properly extend the liability to pay such sanctions to the whole subcontracting chain.

Brussels, 02/02/2009

Brussels, 29/01/2009

Brussels, 28/01/2009

Bruxelles, 28/01/2009 The Czech Republic took up the Presidency of the European Union during a period of unprecedented crisis, which was quickly followed by a wave of redundancies and restructuring plans. To cope effectively with the social consequences of this crisis that threatens to place ever greater numbers of workers in a situation of employment insecurity and carries the political risk of encouraging nationalism, an ETUC delegation submitted a number of proposals to the Czech prime minister during their meeting in Prague on 28 January.

Brussels, 22/01/2009 Never again - Ways to rebuild the European Social Market Economy

Brussels, 22/01/2009 Said John Monks: ‘I am very concerned about this communication. ETUC is ready to discuss issues of labour mobility, including legal aspects with the social partners, but has insisted that this is not an excuse for inaction by the Commission. If the Commission thinks that they can wash their hands of the issue they are completely wrong. It is urgent and today I call on them to think again. ETUC regards this issue as a central test for this and a future Commission.’

Bruxelles, 22/01/2009

Brussels, 21/01/2009 The ETUC has long supported the free movement of labour within the European Union to the extent of opposing transitional restrictions following the accession of the new Member States in 2004 and 2007. Despite the recession, ETUC will stand up for equal access to labour markets and the principle of equal treatment for all workers.

Brussels, 16/01/2009 Following another night of violence that included the bombing of a hospital in Gaza, ETUC calls again for resolute and sustained EU action to obtain an immediate ceasefire followed by a lasting negotiated settlement involving the lifting of the blockade of Gaza and security guarantees, with the deployment of EU personnel as appropriate.

Brussels, 14/01/2009

Brussels, 14/01/2009 Economic activity is falling off a cliff: inflation has crashed through the 2% floor of price stability while unemployment is rising significantly across all European countries. On top of all of this comes the danger of a renewed appreciation of the euro exchange rate, generating yet another blow to economic activity and employment in Europe. Therefore, the only sensible thing for the ECB to do at its meeting on Thursday this week is to continue the policy of interest rates cuts and cut them to the bone.

Brussels, 08/01/2009