Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights

The ETUC is committed to equal treatment and respect for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender workers (LGBTQI).

The EU has a legal framework to protect workers against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. One Directive is already binding in all Member States.

But research has shown that there is a lack of awareness throughout Europe – including in trade unions – that the EU prohibits discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.  The ETUC has published a leaflet, available in 22 languages, to help members promote LGBTQI workers’ rights.

Following the adoption of ETUC recommendations on actions and activities promoting equal rights, respect and dignity for workers regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, in December 2008, the ETUC lobbied the EU institutions for an EU Road Map on LGBTQI rights. It has also set up an LGBTQI rights trade union network to exchange information and develop joint actions among ETUC affiliates. LGBTQI rights are trade union rights.

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  • 12.11.2020 Press release

    ETUC strongly supports LGBTIQ equality strategy

    Person waving a rainbow flag.
    Today, the European Commission has published its first ever LGBTIQ strategy. ETUC Confederal Secretary Ludovic Voet commented "ETUC strongly supports the European Commission's commitment to LGBTIQ equality. The equality strategy is a welcome proposal and deserves support. ETUC firmly believes that there is an urgent need for the EU and national governments to step up their efforts to improve and enforce legal protection against LGBTIQ discrimination, to ensure LGBTIQ safety and guarantee LGBTIQ rights.
  • 17.05.2020 Document

    ETUC statement on International Day Against Homophobia

    LGBT workers still suffer from discrimination in the world of work and in the society due to their sexual orientation. In times of Covid, as in other crises, these rights are even more under threat, due to lack of legislative protection and underrepresentation in workplaces and society in general.
  • 18.09.2019 Page

    Unions condemn Polish newspaper hate campaign

    European journalists’ trade unions have condemned the distribution of ‘LGBT-free zone’ stickers by the weekly paper Gazeta Polska. The ETUC-affiliated European Federation of Journalists says the stickers – featuring a black cross over the LGBT rainbow symbol – promote discrimination and violate the principles all journalists should adhere to.
  • 18.09.2019 Page

    Belgian unions join Pride celebrations

    Trade unionists took part in the five-day Pride festival in Antwerp in Flanders (northern Belgium) in August. More than 60 delegations participated in the Pride march, including the ETUC-affiliated General Labour Federation of Belgium (ABVV/FGTB) and the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (CSC/ACV),as well as political parties. ACV urged members and their friends to join the party to support equal opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
  • 30.06.2017 Document

    Madrid Declaration on 'The Rights of LGBTQI* People in the Workplace'

    The European Trade Union Confederation celebrated the 2017 World Pride at a trade union conference, hosted and co-organised by the Spanish trade unions CC.OO and UGT, on ‘The Rights of LGBTQI* People in the Workplace’, which took place on 29-30 June. The conference was an opportunity for the ETUC and its affiliated organisations, represented via the LGBTQI* rights trade union network, to strengthen their cooperation in the fight for human rights, trade union rights and equality for all workers.
  • 01.12.2016 Page

    Winning equal treatment for gay and lesbian workers

    In Munich, Germany, lesbian women are 12% less likely to be called for a job interview than their heterosexual counterparts. The ver.di union is supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or intersex (LGBTI) members through a specialised online forum and gay working group, aiming to create a gay-friendly environment.
  • 05.08.2016 Press release

    "Freedom at work"

    The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) celebrates the Europride event taking place in Amsterdam on 6 August and will join the parade on a boat organised by the FNV Pink Network and attended by trade unionists from all over the world.
 
 Freedom at work is the theme of an international conference organised by the FNV Pink Network in the context of Europride, to celebrate diversity and create platforms for cooperation among unions in Europe and internationally. 
 
  • 05.02.2009 Document

    ETUC actions and activities on promoting equal rights, respect and dignity for workers regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity

    Brussels, 04/12/2009

 

 Introduction

 

 The European Trade Union Confederation is at the forefront in defending human rights, trade union rights and equality for all workers. This commitment also includes the fight for equal treatment and non-discrimination, respect and dignity for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and trans-gendered workers (LGBT).

 

 As is said in the ETUC Congress document adopted in Seville in 2007: 

  • 28.11.2008 Publication

    ETUC leaflet: Extending equality – Trade unions in action!

    Brussels, 2008
 
 This leaflet is the outcome of the EC funded project ‘Extending equality’ that ETUC carried out in partnership with the European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA-Europe) in 2008.
 

Related issues

Contacts

Ms Marina MONACO

Advisor