As the EU Japan FTA comes before the European Parliament the ETUC calls on MEPs to raise the threats it poses to workers’ rights, public services and social welfare.
We are concerned that the deal contains no enforceable provisions on workers’ rights. The sustainable development chapter of the agreement contains no independent enforcement court or sanctions when violations of labour rights occur which is essential to ensure commitments to labour standards are upheld as the ETUC has outlined in our progressive trade agenda.
Our democracies are under attack. The rise of hate, divisive, and socially and environmentally destructive political forces– including in many EU countries – are putting our democracies at risk.
A new free online course which aims to explain the complex world of standards in clear and simple terms has been launched. It is designed to be used by everyone, regardless of their level of knowledge or their background.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is aware of pressure from the European Commission on Switzerland to use the current negotiations on a new framework agreement with the EU as an attempt to dismantle “accompanying measures”, introduced to protect posted workers and Swiss workers from social dumping and undercutting of wages.
ETUC – CLC joint statement on the Sustainable Development Chapter in CETA
Trade unions in the EU and Canada are united in our call for progressive trade deals that promote decent jobs, protect and enhance labour rights, protect public services and lead to fair distribution of wealth. We worked together throughout the negotiations on CETA to call for the deal to respect these objectives.
Considering that the 20th EU-Ukraine Summit is held in Brussels on the 9th of July 2018, and that the meeting of the Council of the EU-Ukraine Association is planned in December, the European and Ukrainian trade unions believe that urgent measures should be taken, with the support of the European Commission, to improve the social and economic situation in the country, and to increase the effectiveness of social dialogue and adherence to the fundamental ILO Conventions.
The negotiations of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) were finalised in December last year. The signature of the EPA is foreseen on 11 July 2018. Separate negotiations on investment protection continue in parallel.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC-RENGO) recognize the importance of creating frameworks for economic cooperation between EU and Japan, which are major mutual trading partners, in guiding both economies onto a stable and sustainable growth trajectory, and establishing sustainable employment.
ETUC statement on the European refugees and asylum seekers emergency, and on integration of migrants in European labour markets and society
The Executive Committee adopted this statement.
25 June 2018
Consultation on ACP-EU Partnership Agreement
European Commission Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development Post-Cotonou Task Force
Trade Union Movement Contribution
On the occasion of International Refugees Day, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) expresses its solidarity with the millions of refugees who have fled their countries because of war, undemocratic regimes, extreme poverty and critical economic and environmental conditions and to find shelter in another country. ETUC calls on EU Member states to take their responsibility and agree at the European Council on 28-29 June to create a credible and fair asylum policy that meets its humanitarian and international obligations.
The working people of the United States and Europe have been harmed by unfair trade practices, including China’s deliberate overproduction of steel and aluminum, intellectual property theft, forced transfer of production, and violation of basic labor rights.
At the ETUC, we respect everyone’s right to privacy, and want to keep your personal data private. This page sets out what you can expect from the ETUC in how we collect and process any data about you.
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Any personal data you provide to us is controlled by the ETUC, we do not share your data with any third parties, except to comply with certain legal obligations.
In an open letter on the recently presented proposal for a directive on the company law package, to Commissioner Marianne Thyssen, the ETUC is asking for the safeguarding of workers' rights on information, consultation and participation. "The Commission has to deliver for companies and workers alike," says Peter Scherrer, ETUC Deputy General Secretary.
Re: Company law package
Dear Commissioner Thyssen,
28th April is the annual day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled and injured by their work. It serves as a timely reminder to workers across the world that they are not alone, that others have suffered at work and have been engaged in a long struggle to improve conditions in the workplace. It is also a time to reflect on how far we still have to go and the steps we must take to protect the lives of future generations of workers.
The European Social Partners are deeply concerned about a potential delay in the adoption of the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework for political reasons.
Laying the foundations for a level playing field – ETUC statement on the future EU-UK partnership
Statement presented at the Executive Committee of 7 and 8 March 2018
Current situation
Europe is one of the best places to live, work and do business in the world because our social market economies combine free markets, private initiative, economic freedoms, free movement of people and welfare states designed to deliver social rights and public services. Nevertheless, Europe is still faced with many economic, social and political challenges: insufficient competitiveness and employment creation, inequalities, migration, security issues, and the need to redefine EU-UK relations. These challenges require ambitious European solutions.
CONO SUR TRADE UNION ORGANISATIONS COORDINATOR (CCSCS)
EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION (ETUC)
JOINT STATEMENT ON THE MEETING HELD IN BRUSSELS BY THE TRADE UNION REPRESENTATION WITH THE EU AND MERCOSUR NEGOTIATORS
European Social Partners Statement
on tapping the potential from greening the economy for jobs creation
We, the European Social Partners
ACKNOWLEDGE that we are at a critical juncture for the European Union concerning growth and quality job creation, as the economic recovery continues, with differences across Europe, yet we continue to face significant economic, environmental and social challenges;
Jointly adopted by ITUC-ETUC and their four Turkish Affiliates following the 2nd Mission to Turkey on 3-5 May 20017.
The aim was, as the International and European trade union movement, to discuss with the four affiliated organisations [Türk-iş, Hak-iş, Disk and Kesk] the new developments in the situation of trade union members in Turkey, after a first visit in mid-October 2016.
The Steering Committee of the ETUC, in its meeting on 20 April in Brussels, discussed the results of the Turkish referendum held on 16 April on the reforms to the Constitution adopted by the National Assembly on 21 January.
Common appeal to European leaders signed by 237 European Civil Society Organisations and Trade Unions
The Europe we want: just, sustainable, democratic and inclusive
STATEMENT OF THE ETUC ON THE NOTIFICATION OF THE UK TO WITHDRAW FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
Statement adopted by the Executive Committee, Malta 15 -16 March 2017
Meeting in Malta during the Maltese Presidency of the European Union the European Trade Union Confederation reaffirmed its commitment that workers and citizens – in UK and the rest of the EU - must not pay the price for Brexit.
Our key common priority is the defence of workers’ rights, jobs and living standards.
Brussels 29 March 2017
COORDINATOR OF THE SOUTHERN CONE TRADE UNIONS (CCSCS)
EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION (ETUC)
JOINT STATEMENT ON THE POSITION OF WORKERS WITH REGARD TO NEGOTIATIONS TO ESTABLISH A BI-REGIONAL ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MERCOSUR AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
