New EU polling showing exposure to solar UV radiation is the most common cancer risk faced by European workers shows the need for stronger rules on the protection of outdoor workers. 

The pay of European workers is still falling in real terms despite corporations making above-inflation profits, new research by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has found. Across the European Union, the value of wages has fallen this year when inflation is taken into account. By contrast, company profits have increased by nearly 2 per cent in real terms.

Around 1.5 million workers will benefit from new protections from exposure to cancer-causing lead. Safer exposure limits for lead have been agreed today as part an inter-institutional agreement on the fifth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens, and Reprotoxic Directive. When implemented, the new limits will mean that: - The occupational exposure limit will be lowered from 0.15 milligrams per cubic meter (0.15mg/m3) to 0.03mg/m3

Commenting on the IMF Regional Economic Outlook, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said: “The IMF is arguing that the poorest people pay the highest price for a crisis caused by the profits of the biggest corporations. “Real wages were negative across Europe last year while real profits increased and dividends skyrocketed.

The price of the most basic food stuffs is still rising up to seven times faster than wages, Eurostat data published today shows. The price of olive oil is 75 per cent higher than it was in January 2021, while there have also been increases in the price of potatoes (53%), eggs (37%) and butter (27%). By contrast, nominal wages have increased by 11% in the EU and 10% in the Euro area over the last three years.  

Trade unions are calling on politicians to stand up to intense lobbying by platform companies and deliver real rights for delivery riders, taxi drivers, carers and other workers. Uber has bombarded social media in Belgium with over 100 adverts since September 25 in an effort to weaken the EU directive on platform work, the Meta advert library shows.

Dear Readers, We have just published the October 2023 edition of the ETUC newsletter. To read the document, please click here. Enjoy!

Trade unions are calling on governments to impose a windfall tax on banks making huge profits on the back of interest rate rises. The European Central Bank announced today it is maintaining interest rates at their highest level since the creation of the Euro following 10 consecutive increases over the past year.

EU finance ministers have today delayed a decision on new budget rules which would require at least 45 billion Euro in cuts next year. The Economic and Financial Affairs Council was expected to conclude a deal that would require 14 member states (see table in notes) with a deficit above 3% of GDP to reduce their deficit by a minimum of 0.5% of GDP every year. However, ministers have instead decided to remain at the negotiating table.

Tens of thousands of people will take part in a major demonstration in Paris on Friday against EU plans to reintroduce austerity, a move which could force countries to cut 45 billion Euro from their budgets next year alone. Trade unionists from across Europe will join a day of action called by eight French unions against austerity and for pay rises, pensions and gender equality.

The ETUC congratulates Luc Triangle on his election as General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). Elected by representatives of national trade union centres from across the world, he will put his proven leadership and skills to the service of the global trade union body, which represents over 190 million workers. Luc Triangle is well known to workers and trade unions within Europe from his leadership as General Secretary of industriAll Europe.

European ministers today reached agreement on measures to strengthen Europe’s social economy.  A recommendation approved by the employment and social affairs council aims to “create favourable conditions for social economy organisations to thrive and grow” and includes measures to ensure people working in the sector have decent pay and conditions by promoting collective bargaining. 

Serious defects in current legislation allow multinational companies to circumvent workers’ information and consultation rights. The ETUC is adamant that these can only be addressed with a legally binding instrument. The ETUC backs the call by the European Parliament on the EU Commission to revise the European Works Council Directive now. The ETUC is calling for a directive to bring about much-needed improvements in three key areas:

EU social partners high-level mission to Kyiv expressed the solidarity of the European trade union movement and of SGI Europe for Ukraine, its people, their trade unions and employers’ organisations.  

Dear Readers, We have just published the September 2023 edition of the ETUC newsletter. To read the document, please click here. Enjoy!

Trade unions are calling for an urgent rethink of plans to reintroduce austerity as new EU figures show the number of children living in poverty has risen for the third consecutive year.

Trade unions are calling on European leaders to follow in the footsteps of US President Joe Biden and stand with working people fighting for a fair deal.

‘Asset-stripping’ CEOs are weakening Europe’s economy by failing to reinvest increased profits, an analysis of Eurostat data by the European Trade Union Confederation has found.

The European Parliament has this week voted in favour of safeguards for the right to strike, which is at risk under the proposal for a Single Market Emergency Instrument (SMEI). As this legislative proposal moves towards the decisive trilogue negotiations, it is crucial that these safeguards be included in the final regulation. The Commission plans to repeal the existing regulation on the functioning of the single market, which explicitly safeguards the right to strike through the so-called Monti clause.

Responding to new Eurostat figures on employment, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said: 

The European Central Bank today announced a 10th consecutive increase in interest rates, leaving them at their highest level since the creation of the Euro. Responding to the decision, European Trade Union Confederation General Secretary Esther Lynch said: "This is an astonishing decision. This is the wrong time for the ECB to increase interest rates. This decision will hurt workers, enrich shareholders and paves the way for a recession next year."

Responding to the State of the Union Address, ETUC General Secretary Eshter Lynch said:  “Today’s speech was future-focussed. It commits the EU to build a future based on a fair and just transition with decent jobs. The challenges of guardrails for AI were recognised along with the importance of childcare for workers.

Payouts to shareholders are rising up to 13 times faster in Europe than pay for working people, an analysis by the European Trade Union Confederation has found. Dividend payments increased by 75 per cent in Portugal and 66 per cent in Denmark between April and June this year, while nominal compensation in those countries rose by 6 per cent and 5 per cent. Across Europe, dividends increase by 10 per cent – double the rate at which wages are rising – and reached a record 184.5bn US dollars.

The 1.5 million people who are exposed to lead at work would be safer under proposals adopted today by the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs – but more research is needed into its effect on reproductive health.   

Europe is no closer to resolving the exploitation of cross-border workers following the communication on digitalisation in social security presented today by the European Commission. The lack of interconnected social security systems within the European Union creates a loophole which allows companies to cut costs by avoiding the payment of social security contributions for their workers.