Helsinki, 31/10/2013 [Check against delivery] Mrs Minister, Dear Mikko, dear Ninna, Dear colleagues and friends,

Brussels, 25/10/2013 By rapidly implementing the REFIT programme, the Council is rubber stamping Barroso’s intention to ditch the social partners’ agreement on the protection of occupational health and safety in the hairdressing sector. Instead of attacking workers’ rights, the Commission should focus its efforts on ensuring that EU legislation is correctly applied throughout Europe and identify regulatory gaps.

Bruxelles, 24/10/2013 Check against delivery President(s), partners The European Trade Union Confederation was waiting with anticipation for the Commission Communication on strengthening the social dimension of Economic and Monetary Union, together with the role of social dialogue. But its adoption on 2 October left us profoundly dissatisfied. I would like to make a few brief remarks regarding this proposal and also on the general situation we are in.

Brussels, 24/10/2013 At the meeting the ETUC will demand that: - the Council change course, and launch a bold European recovery plan with a target of investing additional 2% GDP per year over the next decade drawing on national and European resources. The aim is to relaunch the economy leading to sustainable growth, to re-industrialise Europe and to create decent jobs, particularly in countries most affected by the crisis.

Brussels, 18/10/2013

Brussels, 17/10/2013 In January 2013, the ETUC and Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) set joint benchmarks for any future deal on labour rights, investment and the right of governments to regulate in the public interest and protect public services. Both trade union organisations called for more transparency in the negotiations.

Brussels, 16/10/2013 The launch of negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the USA represents a significant step-change in transatlantic relations, which collectively account for half of global GDP in terms of value. We are constantly told that this is more than a trade agreement, in yet when it comes to the social dimension we are still trapped in the trade-logic.

Brussels, 02/10/2013 The communication from the European Commission proposes five key indicators to prevent social imbalances in the EMU, which are supposed to serve as a “scoreboard” within the European semester system. The ETUC shares the objective of better coordination in the field of social and employment policies within the EMU, but deplores that the benchmark indicators – as they are proposed – would not result in a binding sanction mechanism similar to the ones existing for excessive imbalances macroeconomic procedure.

Brussels, 16/10/2013

Brussels, 15/10/2013

Brussels, 14/10/2013

Malta 03/10/2013 Check against delivery Mr Prime Minister, Dear President, Dear Tony, Dear Friends, Thank you for inviting me, on behalf of the European Trade Union Confederation, to address you on this historic occasion – the Seventieth Anniversary of the GWU.

Brussels, 08/10/2013

Brussels, 03/10/2013 “We are horrified by the death of hundreds of migrant people – including children and pregnant women – that happened today off the coast of Lampedusa. Too often the hope of a better future turned into tragedy. We cannot accept that current European migration policy lacks any form of solidarity among Member states in this field. Without a change of course, it will be impossible to prevent further tragedies like this one” said Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary.

Bruxelles, 02/10/2013

Brussels, 02/10/2013

Brussels, 02/10/2013 The ETUC and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) sent a joint letter to Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, warning him that when the EU takes the floor at the UN High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development on 3 and 4 October it cannot be hesitant in calling for respect for the most important conventions and international standards that grant protection to migrants globally.

Brussels, 27/09/2013 Bernadette Ségol (ETUC) General Secretary said: “We protest against this clear and irresponsible interference by EU institutions in national wage setting systems. The limits of EU rights in the field of wages must be respected. The EU has no competence to intervene in wages (article 153-5); its competence to issue wage recommendations through broad economic guidelines is limited to just that, recommendations. There should be no pressure whatsoever on national wage setting systems and more particularly on minimum wages”.

Riga, 20/09/2013 [Check against delivery] Dear Prime Minister, speakers, colleagues, friends, distinguished guests,

Brussels, 19/09/2013 “The vote acknowledges Mr. Handel’s achievement in having produced a well-balanced text which respects interests on both sides of the industry. The ETUC is now ready to cooperate with the European Commission and, hopefully, the employer associations, in order to follow up on the indications coming from the European Parliament, with the aim of setting up a more supportive framework for transnational negotiations”, said Luca Visentini, ETUC Confederal Secretary.

Brussels, 11/09/2013

Bruxelles, 09/09/2013

Brussels, 06/09/2013 Since the coup d’état in 2006, the people of Fiji have been suffering from a deterioration in their social situation, including the non-respect of basic human rights, in particular, the right to freedom of association, assembly and expression. For this reason, both the ETUC and the ITUC demand to meet Ms Ashton in order to discuss the matter – with a view to pressing for the EU to help reverse the situation - at the earliest possible convenience.

Bruxelles, 02/09/2013 The ETUC is deeply concerned that despite that guarantees given by Colombia to respect trade union rights, notably in the context of the Free Trade Agreement with the EU, a prominent trade union leader could be arrested in what appears to be an attempt to intimidate the organisations involved in the national strikes.

Brussels, 02/09/2013