Commenting on the overturning of the sentence on LuxLeaks whistleblower Antoine Deltour by a Luxembourg Court, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) called for better and EU-wide protection of whistleblowers.
“People should be able to expose wrong-doing without fear of retribution,” said Esther Lynch, ETUC Confederal Secretary. “It is good that Antoine Deltour has had his sentence overturned, but he should not have been prosecuted in the first place.
Responding today to the European Commission’s proposal for a Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions, Esther Lynch, ETUC Confederal Secretary, welcomed some important improvements, although this reform is not the game-changer unions needed or expected.
Today, 20 December, the social and economic partners took part in the signing ceremony of a partnership agreement with the European Commission on integrating refugees into EU labour markets.
“We aim to combine our efforts with those of each Member State in alleviating the migration crisis,” said Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation. “It is vital to ensure inclusive paths and equal treatment for refugees and asylum-seekers in the labour market and society.
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled today that Uber is a transport service provider and not merely a smartphone application. The European Trade Union Confederation warmly welcomes this logical judgement.
According to the CJEU, this means “Member States can therefore regulate the conditions for providing that service”.
Ten years after the disastrous anti-worker Laval ruling by the European Court of Justice – on 18 December 2007 – the European Trade Union Confederation says the European Pillar of Social Rights obliges the EU to repair the damage caused.
On International Migrants’ Day, the trade union movement reiterates its solidarity with undocumented migrant workers. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM) today issue a leaflet to support trade unions in their efforts to speak up for and organise undocumented workers.
The European Trade Union Confederation – representing 89 trade unions in 39 countries and representing some 45 million workers from all sectors and industries - stands with Ryanair workers, and calls on Ryanair to honour its promise to recognise its workers’ trade unions.
The European Trade Union Confederation – representing 89 trade unions in 39 countries and representing some 45 million workers from all sectors and industries - stands with Ryanair workers, and calls on Ryanair to honour its promise to recognise its workers’ trade unions.
Following EU leaders agreeing to “put people first, to further develop the social dimension of the Union … to promote convergence and … implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights” at their Summit last night, the European Trade Union Confederation proposes:
Trade union leaders from across Europe meeting in Brussels today reaffirmed their commitment to quality jobs for all working people – and agreed that creating quality jobs should be a top priority for European economic policy.
High unemployment, low investment and the growth of online platforms and low-value service industries have resulted in far too many new jobs being badly paid, insecure and poor quality.
The European Commission’s ‘Platform for Coal Regions in Transition’ is a good start to try to ensure that climate action leaves no worker behind says the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
Today, the Youth Committee elected Viktória Nagy as President of the Youth Committee of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
"Despite economic growth all over Europe, workers are still looking for their recovery from the crisis” said Viktória Nagy, “and too many young people are trapped in precarious jobs. Zero-hour contracts, sub-minimum wages and unpaid traineeships must end."
Commenting on the agreement between the European Commission and the UK Government on Brexit negotiations, ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini said “The starting gun for the next phase of the negotiations is now ready to be fired, subject to the agreement next week of EU 27 Governments.”
The right to join a trade union and the right to collective bargaining are basic, human rights recognised by the UN International Labour Organisation.
Yet many well-known multi-national companies do NOT recognise trade unions, and do not negotiate with trade unions on pay and working conditions.
The International and European Trade Union Confederations (ITUC and ETUC) are joining forces for Human Rights Day (December 10) to name and shame two multi-national brands and household names that refuse to negotiate with trade unions.
“The architecture of EMU is clearly not complete” said Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). “Economic & Monetary Union does need stronger and more coherent governance and resources to ensure the long-term future of the Euro. The package presented by the European Commission is important and member states need to find the political will to take the necessary steps.
“Far from going too far, the implementation dates are too late. These changes should be brought forward.”
Commenting on the list of tax havens agreed by Finance Ministers today, Katja Lehto-Komulainen, Deputy General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) said:
“Any action against tax avoidance is good news, but we will continue to press for full disclosure of economic activities in all countries without exception, and common tax rules and minimum rates. What has been agreed today needs to be followed up by further action in future meetings.
At the start of the EU-African Union Summit today in Ivory Coast, the European Trade Union Confederation demanded an immediate suspension of EU efforts to keep refugees and migrants in Libya, at least until the safety and well-being of migrants can be guaranteed.
In addition to appalling detention facilities and conditions, there are now allegations of migrants being sold into slavery. The Summit is expected to call for an independent and thorough investigation into the slavery allegations, but the ETUC warns this is too little, too late.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes a Vatican Conference – today and yesterday - on labour and the workers’ movement (trade unions) being at the core of development, and on work having to be good for everyone.
An ETUC delegation, led by General Secretary Luca Visentini, attended the “Labor Unions International meeting: from Populorum progressio to Laudato si” organised by the Holy See in the Vatican City.
“Trade unions and employers play a major role in making work safe for women, and helping to eliminate harassment and violence against women,” said Luca Visentini, Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). “Collective agreements have shown to be a most effective means to combat this scourge.”
“Trade unions and employers play a major role in making work safe for women, and helping to eliminate harassment and violence against women,” said Luca Visentini, Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). “Collective agreements have shown to be a most effective means to combat this scourge.”
The EU’s Eastern Partner countries - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – whose Heads of Government/State will be in Brussels on Friday 24 November for the EU’s Eastern Partnership Summit, have a very poor record of implementing workers’ rights.
