Dear Environment and Labour Ministers,In conjunction with the European Trade Union Confederation, we, the undersigned, serving as Presidents and General Secretaries of Trade Unions from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), are compelled to underscore the importance of safeguarding just transition initiatives deliberated within the Environment Council Conclusions.

On  17 May, the European trade union movement celebrates the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). On this day, we remind ourselves and  European policymakers that LGBTI+ rights are fundamental human and trade union rights. 

The revision of the European Works Council Directive was proposed by the European Commission at the request of the European Parliament. Regrettably, the European employers' organisations do not seem to appreciate this democratic practice. There is no other way to understand the public statement published on 22 March by Business Europe, Hotrec, EuroCommerce, European Banking Federation, ECEG and CEEMET and sent to the Employment Committee of the European Parliament and the Council.

TABLE OF CONTENTS1. OVERVIEW OF KEY TRENDS 2. POLICIES FOR DIRECT YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT 3. POLICIES ON SOCIAL PROTECTION4. POLICIES SUPPORTING EDUCATION / TRAINING OF YOUNG PEOPLE5. YOUTH GUARANTEE POLICIES AND YOUTH POLICIES IN THE NATIONAL RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE PLAN6. CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY POINTERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS1. OVERVIEW OF KEY TRENDS 2. POLICIES FOR DIRECT YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT 3. POLICIES ON SOCIAL PROTECTION4. POLICIES SUPPORTING EDUCATION / TRAINING OF YOUNG PEOPLE5. YOUTH GUARANTEE POLICIES AND YOUTH POLICIES IN THE NATIONAL RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE PLAN6. CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY POINTERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS1. OVERVIEW OF KEY TRENDS 2. POLICIES FOR DIRECT YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT 3. POLICIES ON SOCIAL PROTECTION4. POLICIES SUPPORTING EDUCATION / TRAINING OF YOUNG PEOPLE5. YOUTH GUARANTEE POLICIES AND YOUTH POLICIES IN THE NATIONAL RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE PLAN6. CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY POINTERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS1. OVERVIEW OF KEY TRENDS 2. POLICIES FOR DIRECT YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT 3. POLICIES ON SOCIAL PROTECTION4. POLICIES SUPPORTING EDUCATION / TRAINING OF YOUNG PEOPLE5. YOUTH GUARANTEE POLICIES AND YOUTH POLICIES IN THE NATIONAL RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE PLAN6. CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY POINTERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS1. OVERVIEW OF KEY TRENDS 2. POLICIES FOR DIRECT YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT 3. POLICIES ON SOCIAL PROTECTION4. POLICIES SUPPORTING EDUCATION / TRAINING OF YOUNG PEOPLE5. YOUTH GUARANTEE POLICIES AND YOUTH POLICIES IN THE NATIONAL RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE PLAN6. CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY POINTERS

The European trade movement, under the auspices of the European Trade Union Confederation, met with the Ukrainian trade union movement represented by FPU and KPU on 23 April 2024 in Lublin, Poland in the framework of the Trade Union Summit for Ukraine. Read the declaration here 

On May 1, 2004, a historic moment unfolded as ten countries—Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia—joined the European Union. This was the largest enlargement in the EU’s history.             

Trade unions and the world of standardisation  Resolution adopted at the Executive Committee meeting of 26-27 March 2024 Technical standards also affect workers

Roadmap to establish a Trade Union Renewal CentreAdopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 26-27 March 2024  

ETUC support for the ILO Global Coalition for Social Justice Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 26-27 March 2024 Europe has a social justice emergency. The ETUC is at the forefront of the fight for a fair deal for workers, their families and their communities throughout Europe. 

For fair and inclusive pension policy in the EU  Resolution Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 26-27 March 2024 The EU context and trade unions' concerns about social security and pension policy

With only one in five European Works Councils (EWC) being effectively informed and consulted before a transnational decision is made in their company, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) keeps on advocating for a change to the European Works Council Directive (EWCD).

Economic governance reform: ETUC priorities against austerity and for investments Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 26-27 March 2024   

Adopted by the ETUC Women’s Committee on 22 March 2024 With this statement, the ETUC Women’s Committee wishes to express our strong disappointment and deep concern about the serious deterioration of workers’ and women’s rights in Finland. Proposed reforms of labour legislation weaken women’s position in the labour market and the negotiation power on salary raises in collective agreements.

  Brussels, 11 March 2024  Letter sent to  Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President of the European Commission     Dear Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis

Dear Prime Minister Kallas, I am reaching out to you on behalf of working people and trade unions across Europe to ask you to support the Directive on Improving Working Conditions in Platform Work Your support, Estonia’s support, is the decisive factor for the adoption of the Directive. I understand that your government will decide closer to the vote in EPSCO on Monday 11th of March on its position.

Brussels 06/03/2024   Dear Mr Arras, Dear Mr Pozzana,  Over the past two years, we have met on several occasions at events related to the advocacy for the Platform Work Directive. 

Dear President, Dear members of the Permanent Representations to the EU, On 10 February, the military junta of Myanmar announced that they will begin mandatory military conscription. We, ETUC and all European Industry Federations (EIFs), completely oppose this shocking announcement and on behalf of workers and trade unions in Myanmar and their international trade union representation, we call on the EU Member States to agree on urgent EU action as soon as possible. 

Esther Lynch wrote to the Spanish trade unions expressing the condolences and solidarity of the ETUC for the residential building fire that took place in Valencia.  Dear colleagues, I am writing on behalf of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) to express our deepest condolences and unwavering solidarity in the wake of the tragic fire that recently struck a residential building in Valencia, Spain.

Last week, the European Commission and co-legislators reached a tripartite agreement on the Directive for a European Disability Card, marking a significant step towards enhancing accessibility and inclusivity across European Member States. The text was formally adopted today by COREPER. While this agreement signifies progress, it is imperative to acknowledge the pressing need to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, particularly concerning their entitlements when exercising their right to work and study abroad.

A dedicated just transition directive is needed to ensure the 2040 climate target announced by the European Commission can be met without further social unrest. Over the next 16 years, the Commission wants to achieve a 90% net reduction in reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels. Trade unions support climate action – but already agreed climate legislation fails to convince people in affected sectors and regions because the European Green Deal doesn’t yet take into account the social and labour impacts of the transition. Too narrow