Reminder : Mobilisation Needed – Support the Compromise on the Traineeship Directive
Brussels, 22 September 2025
- To: Members of the Quality Employment and Labour Market Committee
- To: Members of the Youth Committee
- For info: All ETUC Member organisations
Dear colleagues,
We are contacting you ahead of the EMPL Committee vote tomorrow at 10:30. According to our information, some EPP members remain undecided, and the group will not vote as a block.
It is therefore of utmost importance that you reach out to your EPP contacts today and urge them to support the compromise amendments and the mandate for negotiations.
The text on the table is a balanced compromise. It ensures the Parliament can face the Council with a strong mandate to deliver real progress for young people entering the labour market.
Your mobilisation can make the difference!
Thank you for getting back to us with any feedback you receive.
Kind regards,
Tea Jarc
Confederal Secretary
Brussels, 15 September 2025
- To: Members of the Quality Employment and Labour Market Committee
- To: Members of the Youth Committee
- For info: All ETUC Member organisations
Dear colleagues,
Over the summer, a lot of work has been done in the European Parliament, and we are pleased to inform you that the political groups have now reached a compromise on the Traineeship Directive.
This compromise is an important step forward. For the first time, we are close to securing binding EU legislation that will bring concrete and tangible improvements for young workers entering the labour market. It includes a definition of traineeships as transitional entry-level work, provisions on equal treatment (including pay), mandatory written agreements, access to social protection, targeted measures for vulnerable groups, and safeguards against bogus traineeships. It also strengthens oversight, cooperation with social partners, and provides a non-regression clause to prevent lowering of existing rights.
The compromise is not perfect. It does not go as far as ETUC demanded on banning unpaid internships or introducing binding quality criteria. Nevertheless, in the current political climate—with some groups opposed to the Directive and pushing for deregulation—this text represents a fragile but positive breakthrough. It is the only social legislation on the table today that can have a direct and tangible impact on young workers’ lives.
Next steps and mobilisation
The compromise is fully supported by S&D, Greens, The Left and Renew but the majority is fragile, and its adoption will depend on the EPP. We urgently need to strengthen our advocacy at the national level. In particular, we must:
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Reach out to EPP Members of the European Parliament in your country.
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Urge them to support the compromise both in the EMPL Committee vote at the end of September and in the Plenary vote in October, where the EMPL mandate will most likely be challenged.
Attached to this circular, you will find:
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Draft analysis of the compromise, with further details.
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A model letter to MEPs that you can translate, adapt and complement with information from your national context. It is crucial that MEPs hear the voices of workers and young people from their own countries, so we encourage you to reach out to them.
In the current political climate, securing these advances is essential. The compromised EP opinion may not deliver everything we want, but it represents a historic chance to improve the lives of thousands of young people across Europe.
We kindly ask you to keep us informed with national developments or replies you receive from the MEPs.
Do not hesitate to contact Lucie ([email protected]) for any questions.
Let’s not miss this opportunity.
In solidarity,
Tea Jarc
Confederal Secretary