Two thirds of European workers would be excluded from pay transparency measures under the proposals made by the European Commission, its own data reveals. Binding pay transparency measures were one of the flagship policy promises of the von der Leyen Commission and, after a 460-day delay, it finally published a draft gender pay transparency directive last spring. But the impact of the directive risks falling far short of its promise because of the Commission’s decision to limit gender pay reporting to organisations with over 250 staff.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament. David Sassoli was a true defender of European values and democracy, and fought for a fairer and more united Europe. He was a kind and caring man, an outstanding progressive leader, a supporter of Social Europe and a friend of workers and trade unions. He will be missed very much. The deepest condolences of the European Trade Union Confederation to his family and loved ones.

Dear Readers, We have just published the December 2021 edition of the ETUC newsletter. To read the document, please click here. Enjoy!

The European Commission has today proposed measures on raising new own resources and fair corporate taxation. Responding to the proposals, ETUC Confederal Secretary Liina Carr said:

Workers could have covered the cost of Christmas with a little left over for the new year if wages had kept pace with productivity growth over the last two years, research for the ETUC has found. European workers would have collectively received 116 billion Euro more since 2019 if productivity increases had been translated into commensurately higher wages as is meant to be the case.

Trade unions are calling on EU governments to support long overdue improvements to social security coordination needed to protect the rights of some of Europe’s most vulnerable workers. After 17 rounds of negotiations between the European Parliament and the European Council, an agreement on a revision of the EU regulation on the coordination of social security systems was finally found last Thursday. The agreement would ensure improvements on the following issues:

Commenting on Council conclusions on ‘external aspects of migration’ – which follow conclusions on ‘security and defence’ – Luca Visentini, ETUC General Secretary said

The European Council and European Parliament have

With a strong cross-party majority of almost 70%, the European Parliament has adopted the Bischoff report on Democracy at Work this morning.

Context – The European Commission today published its proposal for a Council Recommendation aiming at ensuring that the Union’s transition towards a climate-neutral and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050 is fair and leaves nobody behind, in line with the European pillar of Social Rights. The proposal invites Member States to adopt and implement comprehensive and coherent policy packages to address the employment and social aspects to promote a fair transition.

Dear readers, Against the backdrop of post-Covid shortages of both skilled and unskilled workers around Europe – from Croatia to Sweden - trade unions and employers in many countries are taking steps to equip workers for digital and environmentally sustainable workplaces. In this edition of National Updates we look at some of these initiatives, as well as steps to ease labour market access for older and younger workers.

The European Commission’s Action Plan to boost the social economy to be an useful initiative for a under-appreciated and often-neglected sector says the ETUC. Liina Carr, ETUC Confederal Secretary said “The social economy accounts for 10% of the EU’s GDP and includes many cooperatives, mutuals, associations, foundations, not for profit organisations as well as enterprises.

Commenting on the European Commission consultation on draft guidelines on EU competition law and collective agreements of solo self-employed people, Isabelle Schömann, ETUC Confederal Secretary said  “Collective agreements should be fully excluded from antitrust control, regardless of whether they protect employees, self-employed or other non-standard workers, including workers on digital labour platforms.