* : Do not support the current Council proposal on the Traineeships Directive
Brussels, 5 June 2025
- To: Deputy Permanent Representatives
- To: Social Attaches
Dear Ambassadors,
On behalf of the European Trade Union Confederation, I am writing to express our deep disappointment with the direction currently taken in the discussions on the Traineeships Directive.
Despite the well-documented exploitation faced by young workers upon their entry into the labour market, we regret to observe a persistently low level of interest among Member States in establishing a common EU framework that would move us beyond fragmented national practices. This reluctance sends a discouraging signal to an entire generation that has long called for justice and protection at the start of their working lives.
We take this opportunity to repeat what we have stated many times before: young people and young workers are among the EU’s strongest supporters. Their trust in European institutions stems from the belief that the EU can be a force for fairness and progress. We therefore urge you to reconsider your commitment to this file and work towards the common solution they have been calling for — in many cases, for over a decade.
The directive must adopt a broad scope, ensuring that no young person is left behind. It must provide a clear and inclusive definition of a traineeship, one that gives employers clarity and offers trainees the security they need to transition into the labour market without falling into a spiral of precarity.
We are particularly concerned that the current proposal could have a chilling effect, discouraging future ambition in policy making and sending the wrong signal to both young people and employers about what is acceptable at the entry point to the labour market.
We would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Polish Presidency to find compromise and move the file forward. However, in its current form, the proposal falls short of the ambition and protection needed.
We therefore call on you not to support this version, and instead return to the original Commission proposal as a stronger foundation from which to rebuild and take into serious consideration the work and direction emerging from the European Parliament, which reflects many of the demands made by young people and social partners alike.
We want to reaffirm that the ETUC stands ready to be a reliable and constructive partner in further discussions, committed to finding a solution that truly delivers for young workers across Europe.
Sincerely,
Tea Jarc
ETUC Confederal Secretary