The European Trade Union Confederation and its affiliates, Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine and Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine, fully support Ukraine and its people in the fight for democracy and sovereignty against Russian aggression. That was a year of shock and pain, devastating news and images, but also a year of bravery and consolidation of Ukrainian people and their unions and a year of solidarity, unity and support.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has appointed an independent company with specialist expertise in anti-corruption practices in response to allegations of corruption involving public figures in and around the European Parliament, which resulted in the questioning and release under conditions of the former General Secretary of the ETUC.
This letter is a joint plea of trade unions, cooperative enterprises, and non-governmental organisations to the European institutions for an effective Directive on improving working conditions in platform work.
We do not oppose digitalisation but believe that it should always provide social improvements, respect working conditions, and be developed in cooperation with workers and trade unions.
Dear EU leaders,
The soaring cost of food and energy is plunging families across Europe into a cost-of-living crisis triggered by Covid-19-induced supply chain disruptions and worsened by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The European Commission has proposed solutions, such as caps on profits from energy production. These short-term solutions are needed but must be complemented with a longer-term approach.
We are entering the last quarter of the European Year of Youth, a year that was dedicated to young people after they were recognised as one of the worst affected groups by the pandemic and after the research showed that poverty and inequality are one of the biggest concerns of young people, preceded only by jobs and employment.
Last June, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and its members warmly welcomed the decision to grant Ukraine EU candidate status. That is a long-time aspiration of Ukrainian workers who are sacrificing their lives, health and wellbeing in the fight for democracy and sovereignty against Russian aggression. Ukrainian trade unions are actively helping to deal with the humanitarian crisis provoked by it, while European and international trade union movement has mobilsed funds and solidarity aid for workers in Ukraine, but also to millions of refugees fleeing in EU countries.
Dear President von der Leyen, Dear President Michel,
We have been informed that President Zelenskyy has signed into life the bill 5371 on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts regarding Simplification of Labour Relations Regulations for Small and Medium Business, despite the call we made to veto it.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament
Dragoş Pîslaru, Chair of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs at the European Parliament
Dear Ms Metsola,
Dear Mr Pîslaru,
Certainly, you are aware of the documents made available by different media revealing Uber’s lobbying malpractices towards the EU institutions and Member States.
Dear Ms Gualmini,
Based on the discussion in the EMPL Committee on 12th July, you are well aware of the scandal of the Uber papers, revealing Uber’s lobbying towards the EU institutions and Member States.
The ETUC expresses its concern at the lack of progress on the adoption of a minimum level of taxation, which is another illustration of the need to get rid of the unanimity requirement in Council.
The ETUC has welcomed the EU proposal as a timid but important first step in reducing the most damaging corporate tax practices in the EU. In addition to depleted public budgets, we underline the disastrous impact of corporate tax avoidance on employment. Hiding corporate profits in tax havens stands in the way of fair wages and sustainable business.
Initial comments
The ETUC welcomes the upcoming European Commission initiative on forced labour and the opportunity to give input to this Call for evidence. The ETUC intends to come back to the European Commission with further details about the initiative at a later stage.
The ETUC and its General Secretary, Luca Visentini sends its full support for the general strike of the UGTT (Tunisia) taking place on 16 June 2022, in particular their demands for
Ahead of the May 15–16 ministerial meeting of the U.S.–E.U. Trade and Technology Council (TTC), trade unions call on the U.S. government and the European Union Commission to deepen trans-Atlantic cooperation and deliver meaningful results for workers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Dear High Representative,
The situation for independent trade unions in Belarus has seriously deteriorated. On 19 April 2022, the leadership of the Belarusian Congress of Trade Unions (BKDP) - the President of BKDP Aliaksandr Yarashuk, BKDP Vice-President Siarhei Antusevich, President of Free Trade Union of Metal Workers (SPM) Aliaksandr Bukhvostau, President of Free Trade Union of Belarus (SPB) Mikalaj Sharakh - were arrested.
The European Commission published today its first circular economy package that aims at making sustainable products the norm in the EU, boosting circular business models and empowering consumers for the green transition.
We are civil society organisations, think tanks, trade unions and employers supported by academics from across the European Union. We have come together to call for fundamental reform of the EU’s fiscal rules.
Statement of the ETUC Women’s Committee on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Adopted at the Extraordinary Women's Committee meeting on 9 March 2022
On 9 March 2022, the ETUC Women’s Committee met with representatives of the Ukrainian trade union’s Women’s Committee.
In light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and in support of the conclusions of the special meeting of the European Council of 24 February 2022, we, the European cross-industry social partners, state that:
• We strongly deplore and condemn the unprovoked attack on the territorial integrity of Ukraine currently underway. This attack is an obvious violation of international law and represents a clear threat to European peace and security.
The ITUC and the ETUC call for an immediate end to hostilities and conflict in eastern Ukraine, and good-faith negotiations to resolve the crisis in the interests of people.
