Commenting on the European Commission Work Programme 2018, Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, said
“We broadly welcome the work programme, especially the much-needed social fairness package. Whether this package will actually go far enough to improve social fairness for the majority of working people remains to be seen in the proposals when they are published.”
Agreement late last night by Employment Ministers on the revision of the posting of workers Directive finally triggers negotiations with the European Parliament to finalise the much-needed revision of the Directive.
However, given the disappointing agreement by Employment Ministers, fair rights for posted workers now depends on the negotiating skills and determination of the European Parliament.
The agreement reached by Ministers
Responding to the EU Employment and Social Policy ministers’ unanimous agreement on the text of the Proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, which gives the authorisation to Member States to sign it at the Gothenburg Summit on November 17, Esther Lynch, Confederal Secretary at the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), said:
“Labour Ministers have done the right thing today and put aside differences to agree the European Pillar of Social Rights.
It’s a big week in the EU for social rights, and conditions for working people.
Tomorrow (Monday 23 October) the Employment Council is expected to decide on
- The revision of the Posted Workers Directive
- The European Pillar of Social Rights
On Thursday (27 October) the European Parliament votes on the revision of the Posted Workers Directive.
Tripartite Social Summit – Estonian Presidency
Brussels, 18th October 2017
Speech given by Luca Visentini, ETUC General Secretary
[Check against delivery]
Esteemed Presidents, Vice President, Commissioner, Ministers,
Dear colleagues from social partners,
This Tripartite Social Summit comes in the middle of discussions about the future of Europe and few days before the expected proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
At today’s Tri-Partite Social Summit - with Presidents Juncker and Tusk, Prime Minister Ratas of Estonia, and the Labour Ministers of Estonia, Bulgaria and Austria - Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation called for fast proclamation of an ambitious European Pillar of Social Rights and proposed a series of initiatives including:
In light of new evidence, trade unions and labour organizations are today renewing their calls to the European Commission to make good on its promise to launch a trade investigation into Bangladesh as a result of its government’s continued failure to make urgently needed reforms to the law and practice governing trade union rights in the country’s Ready Made Garment industry.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) urges the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament to adopt today the compromise package proposed by the co-rapporteurs. If adopted today and confirmed by the plenary next week, this package will become the official mandate for the European Parliament to negotiate with Council during “trilogue” discussions.
The ETUC has long been calling on MEPs for a revision to ensure posted workers receive equal pay or the same work in the same place as a local worker.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) strongly supports its Italian members, CGIL, CISL and UIL in their efforts to have the 'Ius soli and Ius culturae' bill adopted by their national chamber by the end of this legislative term.
The ETUC considers citizenship to be a fundamental right, in the spirit of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, and that children’s interests should come first.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomed the publication today of the 2017 Gender Equality Index by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), showing some small improvements in gender equality in Europe since 2015.
Background paper ETUC project “Safe at home Safe at work” - Trade unions’ strategies to prevent, manage and eliminate workplace harassment and violence against women
Recommendations
Ten things that unions can do to tackle harassment and violence against women work
Prioritise social dialogue between employers and unions, in jointly agreeing policies, procedures and awareness raising amongst managers and workers.
