Trade unions are calling on the European Central Bank (ECB) to stop putting jobs at risk by preventing investment and instead go further and faster in cutting interest rates.The ECB today announced another 0.25% cut in interest rates, which does little to relieve the pressure it put on workers and companies by holding rates at record levels for most of last year.

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) cannot endorse the Competitiveness Compass if it continues to undermine jobs, rights and standards. While the Compass published today by the European Commission recognises that quality jobs are an important part of a competitive economy, that is undermined by a focus on deregulation.  

Trade unions are calling on politicians to stand up for the high standards that make Europe great after business groups called for Trump-style deregulation to coincide with the US President’s Davos speech. 

The ETUC is calling on the European Commission to make quality jobs a central objective to its competitiveness plan and warns against an approach based on low pay, long hours and bad conditions.  The Competitiveness Compass, which is set to be published next week, must have the protection and creation of quality jobs as a cardinal point. Trade unions expect it to lay the foundation to deliver a quality jobs package, including new legislation and investments, within the first half of this year. Social Europe is our competitive advantage

The Gaza ceasefire agreement reached between the Israeli government and Hamas marks a crucial step towards ending the violence that has caused immense suffering. The ETUC fully supports the ITUC and urges the EU and the international community to take decisive action to see through the commitments of both parties, address the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza and work towards and sustainable peace.

Chief executives of Europe’s top companies are paying themselves 110 times more than the average worker, an analysis by the European Trade Union Institute shows. 

The most important piece of workers’ legislation at EU level in a generation may be under threat following a non-binding opinion issued today.  Mr Emiliou, who was acting as Advocate General to the Court of Justice of the European Union, has today delivered a highly controversial opinion [Case C-19/23] on the case supported by two member states against the Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages. 

A new warning over Europe’s labour shortage issued today by the World Economic Forum (WEF) shows why the European Commission must make it a priority to deliver a plan for quality jobs.

Workers in multinational companies are another step closer to having a stronger say in their workplaces after the European Parliament today adopted its position on the revision of the European Works Council (EWC) Directive. The vote in favour of the trilogue mandate – which the far-right 'Patriots' group tried to prevent - is a crucial step in addressing longstanding barriers to effective transnational workers’ representation, trade union rights and strengthening democracy at work.

The European Commission is wrong to celebrate a “remarkably resilient” labour market at a time when tens of thousands of workers are threatened with redundancies.  

Figures showing that there would be very small financial savings from a deregulation policy with high social costs disappeared from a European Commission document before its publication. 

EU member states have a ‘moral obligation’ to immediately enforce the ban on goods produced through forced labour which takes effect today. While members states have up to three years to implement it, the evidence from the International Labour Organisation shows there is no time to waste: - There are 28 million people in forced labour around the world, including 3.3 million children - 236 billion US dollars is the level of annual profit generated from forced labour in the world

Less than two weeks before Christmas, Belgian trade union members demonstrated today against the grinch-like austerity plans being drawn up by the country’s future government.  The demonstration in Brussels organised by all three Belgian trade unions and support by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) comes during negotiations over the programme of the next government.

Commenting on the 0.25 point cut in interest rates announced today by the European Central Bank (ECB), ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said: “Interest rates have been too high for too long. That has put further financial strain on workers and put jobs at risk by preventing companies from investing. 

Trade unions are calling for a moratorium on compulsory redundancies to deal with a growing jobs crisis exacerbated by Europe’s lack of an industrial policy.European trade unions gathered in Brussels this week for the ETUC Executive Committee to discuss how to protect and create quality jobs. The agenda included interventions by Commission President von der Leyen and European Council President Costa.

The ETUC is calling on the European Commission to investigate the cases of recent arrests and detentions of workers’ representatives, breaching the respect of human and fundamental rights, and jeopardising the Turkish governments’ commitments to the EU in the field.  On 26 November, police forces simultaneously raided multiple trade union premises and the homes of workers’ representatives and took eight trade unionists into custody. Remzy Çalışkan, Vice-President of Disk, is among those who were transferred to prison and face the threat of a jail sentence.

The ETUC is calling for the Council of the EU and European Parliament to reject the EU-MERCOSUR trade and investment agreement in its current form due to concerns over weak labour protections. While the deal offers new opportunities for employment creation and cooperation between Europe and South America, trade unions continue to have concerns. The lack of transparency and democratic legitimacy in these negotiations has added to those concerns.

The practice of paying people with disabilities below the legal minimum must be stopped as part of the rollout of the EU minimum wage directive. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is making the call during European Disabilities Week.

Employment ministers meeting today to discuss how to solve Europe’s labour shortages cannot continue overlooking the central role played in the problem by low pay. 

The ETUC congratulates Enrico Somaglia on his election as the new General Secretary of the European Federation of Food, Agriculture, and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT).Speaking at EFFAT’s congress in Valencia today, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch praised outgoing General Secretary Kristjan Bragason for leading a “fighting and winning” union.

The number of workers whose lives were needlessly put at risk during the recent DANA flooding shows why Europe urgently needs to adapt working practices to climate change, the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) said in Valencia today. Speaking at the congress of the European Federation of Food, Agriculture, and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT) being held in the city of Valencia, Esther Lynch said “no event in recent memory showed more clearly how all workers are on the frontline of climate change.”

Following pressure from the trade union movement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed today that there will be a commissioner for quality jobs and social rights.

Commenting on the national spending plans approved today by the European Commission, ETUC Confederal Secretary

Europe’s laws are not keeping up with new and rising threats against women in the workplace, a new report shows on the international day for the elimination of violence against women. Increased digitalisation and precariousness have contributed to a rising tide of violence gender-based violence at work. But an analysis of legal frameworks shows that the existing European and national laws on gender based violence at work are yet to be adjusted to address recent developments.

The general strike taking place in Greece today shows the need for national governments to fully deliver on the minimum wage directive.A 24-hour nationwide walkout is underway to demand government action over the falling purchasing power of working people caused by low pay and skyrocketing rents and prices.The average salary for a full-time worker last year was €17,013, equivalent to levels during the peak of the debt crisis in 2014-2015.