Brussels, 01/07/2013 The ETUC reminds the Croatian Government of the importance of involving the social partners at an early stage during the public consultations process. It regrets that the Government did not follow that approach in relation to the Law recently adopted on relations between the Parliament and the Government in EU affairs. It calls for a commitment on its part to ensure genuine and substantive social dialogue. The ETUC also reiterates its principled support for free movement of EU workers.

Brussels, 27/06/2013 The ETUC demands a stimulus package of investment for jobs. The struggle against the scourge of unemployment, notably that of young people, demands significant investment. The ETUC reminds the European leaders that it is still waiting for the roadmap on the social dimension of the EU, which was announced in Dec 2012. The General Secretary stressed the urgency of calling a halt to failed policies and, one year before the European elections, demands that the Council takes appropriate action against populist movements in Europe.

Brussels, 26/06/2013 At the meeting with the Italian Prime Minister, the ETUC General Secretary will reiterate her call to turn economic policies away from austerity, as well as the need to foster a strong social dimension for the EU. The ETUC urges European leaders to establish a plan to stimulate growth and employment amounting to 1% - 2% of the EU GDP as well as adequate financial resources to support it.

Brussels, 25/06/2013

Brussels, 24/06/2013

Brussels, 24/06/2013

Brussels, 21/06/2013 Claudia Menne, Confederal Secretary of the ETUC, declared: “The closure shows that the information, consultation and participation rights of the staff, workers and journalists have been totally ignored. A revision of the directive is necessary. As a decade ago in the Renault-Vilvoorde case, the European Commission is challenged to show that fundamental rights are at the core of the European project.”

Brussels, 20/06/2013 The adopted text contains a provision that comes from the Center for Clean Air Policy‘s proposal which was actively supported by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). The aim of this provision is to set up a fund that will be financed through the auctioning of 600 million allowances (of the 900 frozen). The fund will support the development of innovative low-carbon technologies as well as social innovation. The proposal is to be voted on in the Plenary on the 3rd July.

Brussels, 20/06/2013

Brussels, 20/06/2013 The European Council of December 2012 announced a roadmap that would deal in particular, with the social dimension of economic and monetary union, including the social dialogue. The draft conclusions that have been leaked completely ignore the objective that had been set by the EU 27. The text has a hollow wording and proposes nothing new or concrete. The demand for structural reforms, on the other hand, is back on track as an act of faith.

Brussels, 18/06/2013 The need for a strong social dimension in the EU, the urgency for a European recovery plan and the fight against unemployment - in particular Youth Unemployment - will be the joint message from Patrick Itschert , ETUC Deputy General Secretary and the President of the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS) to the Latvian Prime Minister.

Brussels, 18/06/2013 The June European Summit is of paramount importance for the future of the European project. In this respect, the ETUC has embarked on a series of meetings with European decision-makers to insist on the urgent need for a European recovery and investment plan geared to job creation and the fight against unemployment, particularly among young people. The meeting with François Hollande, President of the French Republic, is crucial. France can play a key role in bringing about a change in current policies, as the ETUC advocates.

Brussels, 17/06/2013 Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the ETUC said: “The increasingly authoritarian response by the Turkish Government against people’s legitimate grievances is a cause for deep concern. Sending in the army can only make matters worse. Turkey has expressed its European vocation and is a member of the Council of Europe. It must act accordingly.”