The gig economy needs to grow up and meet its responsibilities to workers and society by turning undeclared work into declared work, and the European Commission needs to help online platforms to do so warned the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), together with UNI Europa, the European Services Workers Union.
The Euro-Mediterranean Social Partners
DECLARATION ON SOCIAL DIALOGUE
Third Union for the Mediterranean Employment and Labour Ministerial Conference of 26 and 27 September in, Jordan
Jordan, 26 September 2016
A broad group of civil society and consumer organisations as well as trade unions call on the EU’s trade ministers to reject the signature of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada [1]. The trade ministers are gathering in Bratislava today and tomorrow to discuss the ratification of the CETA agreement.
Just as the representation of workers on company boards is getting back on the political agenda*, an attempt is being made to get the German system of board-level worker representatives declared illegal!
A case is being brought to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) claiming that the German law is discriminatory for the subsidiaries of German companies in Europe and therefore incompatible with European law.
The OECD today calls for more investment and for investment to be excluded from Eurozone fiscal rules.
It also notes that high inequality and stagnant wages make growth more difficult.
Key quotes from the Outlook include
“Poor growth outcomes combined with high inequality and stagnant incomes are further complicating the political environment, making it more difficult to pursue policies that would support growth and promote inclusiveness.”
Commenting on President Juncker’s State of the Union speech, Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, said:
“I welcome the promise to double the investment plan, and to continue the Youth Guarantee. At the same time I am disappointed he did not announce any new action to tackle low wages, precarious work or the exploitation of migrant workers. There is also clearly still a need to press for more public investment as part of the Juncker plan.
Common statement signed by 177 European and national Civil Society Organisations and Trade Unions, ahead of the EU27 Summit in Bratislava on 16 September 2016.
European and British trade unions will work closely together through Brexit to defend the interests and rights of workers on both sides of the Channel.
Speaking at TUC Congress in Brighton today, ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini, will say “we will fight to make certain that workers’ interests, both in the UK and in Europe, are not damaged by Brexit – and to ensure that trade unions are involved in the negotiations.”
The recent ruling on Apple by the European Commission raises serious and significant questions about the tax regimes that apply to corporations operating in the European Union, says the European Trade Union Confederation.
“Of particular concern to the ETUC is the use of aggressive tax planning schemes to lower and minimise tax payable, with some corporations clearly paying ridiculously low amounts of tax on profits generated within the EU,” said Veronica Nilsson, Deputy General Secretary of the ETUC.
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the second edition of our National UPdates newsletter illustrating how trade unions at national as well as EU level are working constructively with other partners in society, including employers, governments and civil society organisations, for social progress and justice in Europe.
National UPdates will be sent to your mailbox quarterly.
To read the document, please click here.
Enjoy!
The European Trade Union Confederation today expressed its solidarity and sorrow at the victims and destruction caused by the earthquake in central Italy.
“Our thoughts are with the people who have lost their lives, who have been injured and made homeless” said ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini “their families and loved ones.
We salute the workers and volunteers who are helping the towns and villages which have been hit. Solidarity is needed immediately and in the coming weeks and months to rebuild lives and communities.”
The ITUC and the ETUC are deeply worried by the latest developments in Turkey, including the new attacks on press freedom and human rights with the ban of the daily ‘Ozgur Gundem’ and the detention of 23 journalist and staff members in Istanbul on 16 August.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) celebrates the Europride event taking place in Amsterdam on 6 August and will join the parade on a boat organised by the FNV Pink Network and attended by trade unionists from all over the world.
Freedom at work is the theme of an international conference organised by the FNV Pink Network in the context of Europride, to celebrate diversity and create platforms for cooperation among unions in Europe and internationally.
The College of Commissioners today presented its recommendations to the Council on the fiscal situations in Spain and Portugal.
The European Trade Union Confederation warmly welcomes the decision to cancel fines against the two countries.
Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation today met Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission.
Key political issues discussed included Brexit, Turkey and the future of Europe.
After the constructive meeting Luca Visentini said:
The European Trade Union Confederation today expressed its solidarity with the people of Germany following the two attacks in Bavaria in the last week.
ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini said "Our thoughts are with all the victims - the dead and the injured, and their loved ones - and with the workers who are dealing with the victims and security."
The European Trade Union Confederation strongly condemns the attempted coup in Turkey on Friday 15 July, and opposes all efforts to overthrow democracy by military force. Nonetheless, it also condemns the drastic purge being carried out by the Turkish government in the aftermath of that failed coup.
The European Commission has today made the right decision to reject the yellow card procedure triggered by 11 Member States, and go ahead with the long-awaited revision of the Posting of Workers Directive.
The European Trade Union Confederation, together with all affiliated trade unions – including those in the countries which launched the yellow card – strongly support this revision. The ETUC believes these 11 governments were acting against the interests of their own workers in trying to block the principle of equal pay for equal work.
The ETUC shares the heartbreak of the people of France following last night’s horrific attack in Nice.
The European trade union movement offers its condolences and solidarity at this horrible time. The dead and the injured, their families and loved ones, and the workers dealing with the situation and its aftermath are in our thoughts and hearts.
Commenting on the ECOFIN decision that triggers sanctions on Portugal and Spain for excessive deficits, ETUC Deputy General Secretary Veronica Nilsson said "I call on the Commission not to impose heavy fines on Portugal and Spain, and not to withhold EU funds."
"Apart from the obvious absurdity of fining a country for allegedly spending too much, big fines will hit growth, jobs and public services in two countries that are already struggling. At a time of painfully slow recovery large fines would be irresponsible."
The European Commission’s review of EU insolvency rules provides an important opportunity to improve the law and ensure that workers are properly protected says the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
Speaking today at the Slovak Presidency Conference on ‘Convergence of insolvency frameworks within the European Union – the way forward’, Esther Lynch, ETUC Confederal Secretary, highlighted the lack of recognition of the vulnerable situation of employees.
Dear Readers,
We have just published the special edition of the ETUC Newsletter "Workers' participation".
To read the document, please click here.
Enjoy!
