Brussels, 31/01/2012

Brussels, 30/01/2012 ‘Enough is enough’ – ETUC campaigns against austerity – Section dedicated to Belgium: http://www.etuc.org/a/9581 .

Brussels, 25/01/2012 European trade unions met today, in Brussels,in a strong and coordinated response to the worsening economic and social situation. On the initiative of the ETUC, a European day of action will be organised on 29 February, the eve of the European Council. European trade union organisations will carry out actions in their own country to bring attention to the gravity of the situation. Jobs and social justice can no longer be kept off the European agenda.

Brussels, 10/01/2012 The Hungarian government’s measures, voted in in record time, follow the reform of the Labour Code which harms workers’ rights, particularly those of the most vulnerable workers.

Brussels, 07-08/12/2011 {{ {Foreword } }} On the 26 June 2011 the Commission issued the proposal on “A Budget for Europe 2020”, defining the new EU financial perspectives for the period from 2014 to 2020. On the 6October the Commission published its proposals for the Regulation covering all the EU structural instruments and the legislative package of EU regional, employment and social policy for 2014-2020.

Brussels, 07-08/12/2011 Introduction

Brussels, 09/12/2011 A new Intergovernmental Agreement is hailed as a solution to the Eurozone problem. But “more fiscal discipline, more automatic sanctions and stricter surveillance” that compose this fiscal compact will further anger European citizens and workers. It will not restore sustainable growth and give employment to millions of people.

Brussels, 07/12/2011 The European Trade Union Confederation Executive Committee wishes to send you a strong and urgent message in the context of the European Council discussion of changes in the Lisbon Treaty. It is the future of citizens, and not the opinion of rating agencies, to which your concerns must be directed. Your common political leadership is essential to prevent a collapse of our economies, recession, mass unemployment and social unrest. Don’t stifle growth and jobs. Don’t imprison EU countries in an economic straitjacket.

Brussels, 05/12/2011

Brussels, 29/11/2011 Several major trade union actions, such as strikes, demonstrations and rallies, are taking place across Europe. European workers stand against social regression and demand the end of austerity measures.

Paris, 02/11/2011 Mr President, We hope that Europe will assert itself fully in the G20. However, synchronised austerity is not a good example to set the world. I am in constant contact with the Greek unions; they have asked me to reiterate that the regime being imposed upon Greece has led to recession and chaos.We have to learn the lessons from this. There is a price to be paid for a programme such as that being imposed on Greece.

Brussels, 31/10/2011

Brussels, 27/10/2011

Brussels, 19-20/10/2011 {{ }}In December 2011, international climate negotiators will converge on Durban (South Africa) for the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). With the Kyoto Protocol set to expire in 2012, these international negotiations are crucial to ensuring the future framework for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. {{International Demands: Avoiding a regulatory gap on emissions and implementing Just Transition }}

Brussels, 21/10/2011

Brussels, 19-20/10/2011 An extremely dangerous situation The economic situation of the Eurozone has gone from bad to worse during the last period; it reached extremely dangerous levels during the last weeks and days. At the same time, the social situation is deteriorating dramatically: inequalities and poverty are rising; unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, has reached intolerable levels, over 20% in most countries and over 40% in Spain and Greece.

21/10/2011

Brussels, 20/10/2011 Everyone recognises the gravity of the situation and the crucial nature of the European Summit coming up on 23 October. Citizens and workers are reaching the end of their tether. Urgent measures commensurate with the situation need to be taken.

Brussels, 06/10/2011 The European Union and the ECB are waging punitive expeditions against countries that have failed to comply with the stability rules. Instead of following the path of solidarity and taking bold measures commensurate with the seriousness of the situation, it’s the short-term solution that holds sway. The recent measures imposed on Italy and Greece are oppressive. European decision-makers are persisting along a path that is forcing countries in difficulty down an infernal spiral.

Brussels, 20/09/2011

Wroclaw, 16/09/2011 For a stronger Europe of sustainable growth and social cohesion 1. During summer 2011 the Eurozone came to the brink of collapse. Short term actions were urged by Governments, EU Institutions and the ECB united only in insisting on austerity programmes rather than progressing towards more comprehensive and long term socially-acceptable solutions.

Brussels, 25/08/2011 In the face of the turmoil disrupting the European economy and amplifying unemployment and the insecurity of work for millions of Europeans, European solidarity is necessary and urgent.

Brussels, 17/08/2011

Brussels, 05/08/2011 Brutal austerity, as applied in the European bail outs, will not stop this but will actually make things even worse by undermining wages, jobs and the social security position of millions of workers.