Speech given by Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Committee on International Trade - EU Trade Policy To be checked against delivery   President, I would like to thank the Committee for your invitation to discuss EU trade policy, on behalf of the European Trade Union Confederation to which are affiliated national trade union confederations in the EU, and more widely in Europe, as well as European federations covering all industrial sectors.

On 20 December 2013, the Spanish Council of Ministers approved a draft bill aiming at reforming the current law on sexual and reproductive health and rights. If approved, this would seriously undermine the rights of women to freely decide on their pregnancy and negatively impact Spanish obligations towards gender equality, as enshrined in the EU Treaties. The ETUC opposes strenuously the proposals that threaten EU values and human rights.

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the decision of the European Parliament to introduce in the consideration of anti-dumping cases references to the observance of international labour and environmental standards set down in Conventions of the International Labour Organisation and in Multilateral Environmental Agreements, as well as the possibility for trade unions and other stakeholders to submit complaints.

The Council is forcing the European Parliament to accept a Directive on intra-corporate transfers from third-countries without a full equal treatment provision in favour of third country nationals working in a Member State. This will result in workers being employed in a Member State under working conditions and labour protections which are set in the legislation of the origin countries! « The European Labour market will become a jungle », the European trade Union confederation (ETUC) warns.

Joint text by Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary, Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament   

On Thursday 29 January 2014, the European Committee for Social Rights (ECSR), the main supervisory body for the Council of Europe’s Social Charter, presented within the framework of its annual reporting system, its so-called Conclusions 2013. The ECSR found no less than 180 cases of violations of the Charter concerning health, social security and social protection. In particular Greece, Poland and Romania received a high number of negative conclusions.

Today, at a hearing of the European Parliament, the ETUC presented the results of its own investigations into the activities of the Troika in Cyprus, Greece, Ireland and Portugal. The report shows that those countries where the Troika has implemented its policies have paid a high economic and social price. The ETUC demands substantial amendments to the existing programmes and mechanisms to ensure that the Troika’s policy of austerity and deregulation cannot be repeated in the future.

On 22 January 2014, the European Commission launched the 2030 framework for EU climate change and energy policies - a new package which sets new climate and energy objectives for 2030. It is positive that greenhouse gas emission reductions and renewable energy targets are binding, giving a longer term perspective to economic and social stakeholders. However, in relation to the ambition of the 2050 roadmap short-term rather than long-term vision prevails.

Brussels, 22/01/2014 Unfortunately, the Commission fails to put forward a proposal on how this potential for growth could be translated into job creation and states that it expects EU unemployment to remain at 11%, an all-time high, for at least two more years.

Brussels, 16/01/2014 “This report underlines the importance of a strong industry to support lasting and quality jobs in Europe,” said Jozef Niemiec, ETUC Deputy General Secretary. “Encouraging the reindustrialisation of Europe through the mobilisation of adequate financial means and through support for innovation is essential for Europe to get out of the crisis”.

Brussels, 15/01/2014 The introduction of a mandatory social clause guaranteeing the respect for labour law and collective agreements in the workplace is an important improvement to the European rules on public procurement. “The revised directive on public procurement will allow public authorities to make sustainable choices and make sure that workers’ rights are upheld”, said Veronica Nilsson, ETUC Confederal Secretary.

Brussels, 14/01/2014 A total of 502 people, mainly trade unionists, were called to trial in Ankara yesterday (13 January) for taking part two years ago in a demonstration against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an's educational reform.

Brussels, 09/01/2014 New figures show that Europe still faces a massive employment crisis, with an estimated 26,533 million citizens out of work, an increase from the previous year. Unemployment now stands at 12.1% in the euro area. Despite these statistics, some European leaders continue to push for business as usual policies.