Brussels, 03/09/2007 Trade unions in Bulgaria are strong supporters of EU membership. Together with the employers’ organisations and the government they have signed an Economic and Social Development Pact, in which all partners committed themselves to stronger social dialogue, to manage the socio-economic challenges involved in meeting the Lisbon Strategy objectives. This so-called tax reform is a clear breach of the pact. Furthermore, it will destabilise the economy and increase inequality and poverty in Bulgaria.

Brussels, 30/08/2007 Financial markets are already squeezing both the cost (three-month interest rates are up to 4.7%, well above the ECB’s repo rate of 4%) as well as the availability (flight into safety and liquidity) of credit for new investment. This will drag down overall investor and consumer confidence and damage growth and job prospects. The ECB needs to restore confidence by giving the signal that it stands ready to defend growth and jobs by cutting interest rates if necessary.

Brussels, 17/08/2007 It has taken a crisis to awaken policy makers to the dangers involved in the recent stupendous growth of hedge funds and derivative markets. Trade unions have been warning now for over a year about the risks of hedge fund operations and how no-one can be sure about who is responsible for what, or what the true liabilities are in today’s casino economy.

Brussels, 09/08/2007 ETUC General Secretary John Monks this morning participated in a demonstration in front of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of both trade union leaders. This Day of International Action is organised by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF). It is supported by many European trade unionists and Amnesty International.

Brussels, 03/08/2007

01/08/2007 - 2006 - 2007

01/08/2007

01/08/2007 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008

Brussels, 25/07/2007 The ETUC had added its voice to the international protest against the detention, torture and death sentence passed against medical staff recognised as being innocent. The Confederation was also at pains to support its Bulgarian members in their mobilisation, calling on the Libyan Head of State, Muammar Gaddafi, to immediately release the nurses and the doctor. This release is a victory for European diplomacy and active international mobilisation over many years.

Brussels, 18/07/2007

Brussels, 12/07/2007 In early May, the ETUC strongly criticised the EP's original draft report on the Commission's Green Paper on modernising labour law, which was a flawed and oversimplified analysis of current problems in Europe's labour markets. It blamed traditional labour law for standing in the way of employment opportunities, without giving the growing numbers of precarious workers around Europe any real prospect of better jobs.

Brussels, 05/07/2007 "{Already, there was a widespread trade union feeling that “liberal” Europe is receiving too much encouragement, with the current emphasis on de-regulation, on encouraging entrepreneurship and on opposition to new labour standards at EU level. The social dimension of Europe is not keeping pace with the development of the internal market. The way that flexicurity was being promoted by some is confirming that feeling.