Brussels, 29/08/2013 In its open letter, the ETUC stresses that Latvia and Ireland, having shed 20 and 15% of all jobs, can hardly be seen as an example to follow. The only lesson to learn from Latvia is that action to restore growth must come first! Europe should delay applying a 3% deficit limit until economies return to health and a strong recovery is secured– probably around 2016-2017. The ETUC’s open letter also denounces the race to the bottom that the Commission’s wage competition is provoking in many Member States

Brussels, 29/07/2013

Brussels, 29/07/2013

Brussels, 18/07/2013 “We supported the accession of Turkey to the EU, but are extremely concerned about the increasing intimidation and repression of the opposition and of some trade unions. We condemn the ongoing breaches of fundamental human rights and call on the Turkish Government to respect ILO core labour standards as well as the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights” said Bernadette Ségol.

Brussels, 17/07/2013

Brussels, 15/07/2013 In a letter sent to the Presidents of GSEE and ADEDY, Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the ETUC, expressed full support for the general strike on 16 July to protest against the lay-off of thousands of public servants in Greece as a consequence of the unilateral measures imposed by the Troika.

Brussels 15/07/2013 The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the positive vote of the European Parliament’s Employment Committee, which ensures a minimum share of 25% for the European Social Fund (ESF) in the next programming period 2014-2020.

Brussels, 10/07/2013 As already stated in our Press Release of March 1st 2012, we reiterate our view that harmonisation plans should be reconsidered as they would have negative effects on the existence and adequacy of occupational pensions and the resources available for company investments in growth and jobs. Moreover, the fundamental differences that exist between insurance companies and IORPs mean that such harmonisation is not justified.

Brussels, 01/07/2013 The ETUC reminds the Croatian Government of the importance of involving the social partners at an early stage during the public consultations process. It regrets that the Government did not follow that approach in relation to the Law recently adopted on relations between the Parliament and the Government in EU affairs. It calls for a commitment on its part to ensure genuine and substantive social dialogue. The ETUC also reiterates its principled support for free movement of EU workers.

Brussels, 27/06/2013 The ETUC demands a stimulus package of investment for jobs. The struggle against the scourge of unemployment, notably that of young people, demands significant investment. The ETUC reminds the European leaders that it is still waiting for the roadmap on the social dimension of the EU, which was announced in Dec 2012. The General Secretary stressed the urgency of calling a halt to failed policies and, one year before the European elections, demands that the Council takes appropriate action against populist movements in Europe.

Brussels, 26/06/2013 At the meeting with the Italian Prime Minister, the ETUC General Secretary will reiterate her call to turn economic policies away from austerity, as well as the need to foster a strong social dimension for the EU. The ETUC urges European leaders to establish a plan to stimulate growth and employment amounting to 1% - 2% of the EU GDP as well as adequate financial resources to support it.

Brussels, 25/06/2013

Brussels, 24/06/2013

Brussels, 24/06/2013

Brussels, 21/06/2013 Claudia Menne, Confederal Secretary of the ETUC, declared: “The closure shows that the information, consultation and participation rights of the staff, workers and journalists have been totally ignored. A revision of the directive is necessary. As a decade ago in the Renault-Vilvoorde case, the European Commission is challenged to show that fundamental rights are at the core of the European project.”

Brussels, 20/06/2013 The adopted text contains a provision that comes from the Center for Clean Air Policy‘s proposal which was actively supported by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). The aim of this provision is to set up a fund that will be financed through the auctioning of 600 million allowances (of the 900 frozen). The fund will support the development of innovative low-carbon technologies as well as social innovation. The proposal is to be voted on in the Plenary on the 3rd July.

Brussels, 20/06/2013

Brussels, 20/06/2013 The European Council of December 2012 announced a roadmap that would deal in particular, with the social dimension of economic and monetary union, including the social dialogue. The draft conclusions that have been leaked completely ignore the objective that had been set by the EU 27. The text has a hollow wording and proposes nothing new or concrete. The demand for structural reforms, on the other hand, is back on track as an act of faith.

Brussels, 18/06/2013 The need for a strong social dimension in the EU, the urgency for a European recovery plan and the fight against unemployment - in particular Youth Unemployment - will be the joint message from Patrick Itschert , ETUC Deputy General Secretary and the President of the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS) to the Latvian Prime Minister.

Brussels, 18/06/2013 The June European Summit is of paramount importance for the future of the European project. In this respect, the ETUC has embarked on a series of meetings with European decision-makers to insist on the urgent need for a European recovery and investment plan geared to job creation and the fight against unemployment, particularly among young people. The meeting with François Hollande, President of the French Republic, is crucial. France can play a key role in bringing about a change in current policies, as the ETUC advocates.

Brussels, 17/06/2013 Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the ETUC said: “The increasingly authoritarian response by the Turkish Government against people’s legitimate grievances is a cause for deep concern. Sending in the army can only make matters worse. Turkey has expressed its European vocation and is a member of the Council of Europe. It must act accordingly.”

Brussels, 13/06/2013

Brussels, 12/06/2013 We call upon working people to express their solidarity with ERT employees who were dismissed overnight and protest against the decision outside the ERT premises. Trade unions together with Greek society, which is suffering under the painful and unilateral austerity measures imposed by the Greek government, were caught unaware by the shock announcement. They denounce this unprecedented authoritarian and anti-democratic decision as a “coup d’ état”.

Brussels, 11/06/2013 For 3 years Greece has been subjected to harsh austerity measures leading to among others dramatic cuts in wages, social provisions and pension benefits which are violating its international obligations. It is a clear signal to the Greek authorities and in particular, to the European Commission and the European Central Bank, as well as the International Monetary Fund, that austerity does not work.

Brussels, 11/06/2013 The action is focusing on the compromise proposals for the “Enforcement Directive” which are currently being discussed in the European Parliament. If some of these amendments were to be adopted, the risk of the re-introduction of the country-of-origin principle, initiating a race-to-the-bottom in Europe in terms of working conditions for cross-border workers, will become reality. - More information on the EFBWW day of action: http://www.efbww.org/default.asp?Index=875&Language=EN