European workers affected by the coronavirus crisis will keep receiving up to 100% of their normal wages under protections won by trade unions. ETUI research for the ETUC has found 18 EU countries, Norway and the UK have taken some measure to protect the jobs and wages of workers who have been temporarily laid off or had their hours reduced.  

Commenting on the outcome of today’s European Council online meeting, Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation said: “We totally agree with the Italian Prime Minister that the proposals put forward for dealing with the economic cost of the coronavirus crisis are completely inadequate. Some national leaders have wasted the opportunity to ensure workers’ livelihoods are protected, public health services are properly funded and we avoid another damaging recession killing thousands of companies. 

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)  and the Pan European Regional Council of the International Trade Union Confederation (PERC) strongly urge the European Council, meeting tomorrow, to approve the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia - righting the wrong decision that was made in October 2019.

The ETUC is calling on the Eurogroup to support corona bonds, and the European Commission to postpone its EU economic-policy making Semester.  “It is time to launch the EU pandemic-bonds” said Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the ETUC. “Europe risks a recession even worse than the one following the financial crisis of 2008-9 and needs to invest in protecting jobs and the economy.”

The European Trade Union Confederation sends a message of solidarity to our Croatian affiliates, the SSSH and NHS, following the devastating earthquake which hit Zagreb and Croatia on Sunday. Speaking on behalf of ETUC members in 37 other countries across the continent, General Secretary Luca Visentini said: “Trade unionists across Europe send their strongest solidarity to the Croatian population, workers and our colleagues in Croatia at this extremely difficult time.

Photo credit: Descrier

Responding to the European Commission’s emergency measures on Coronavirus, ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini said: “People who are ill, caring for family or unable to work because of coronavirus should not suffer financially, so trade unions welcome the European Commission’s commitment to protecting workers from unemployment and loss of income. “The Commission must ensure that financial support reaches all workers, including the self-employed and those with precarious jobs who are most vulnerable.

Dear readers, Welcome to our Spring 2020 edition of Workers’ Voice National Updates, with the usual potpourri of European trade union activities. This quarter, we showcase how unions are representing an ever-wider range of workers, such as temporary agency workers, young people and apprentices, fashion assistants, journalists…. And trade unions are also teaming up with civil society, community and religious groups to combat hate speech, support fair migration and seek the “common good”.

The ETUC is calling for paid sick leave for all workers across Europe as the coronavirus exposes the danger to public health posed by the cuts made to sick pay by member states.   European Commission figures show the majority of member states have reduced spending on sickness benefits since the 2008 financial crisis.

Responding to the publication of the European Commission’s Gender Equality Strategy, ETUC Deputy General Secretary Esther Lynch said: “At a time when we are seeing a backlash against gender equality,  European action that pushes member states to renew the fight to end discrimination faced by women every day at work is much needed. We urge Ursula von der Leyen to be bolder, stronger and faster.

Responding to the European Commission’s publication of the European Climate Law, ETUC Confederal Secretary Ludovic Voet said: “The Commission is right to enshrine climate neutrality into legislation but it’s regrettable that they have not yet proposed an interim target for 2030. This is needed to plan for the transition and have a credible EU climate diplomacy position ahead of COP26 in Glasgow.

The ETUC has used a meeting with the EU’s Home Affairs Commissioner to call for protection to be offered to the thousands of displaced people at the Turkey-Greece border. General Secretary Luca Visentini met with Ylva Johansson today, where he said the EU must treat the situation as a humanitarian emergency rather than a threat to Europe’s borders, ending unjustifiable violence towards vulnerable refugees.

Dear Readers, We have just published the February 2020 edition of the ETUC newsletter. To read the document, please click here. Enjoy!