Helsinki, 31/10/2013 [Check against delivery] Mrs Minister, Dear Mikko, dear Ninna, Dear colleagues and friends,

Brussels, 25/10/2013 By rapidly implementing the REFIT programme, the Council is rubber stamping Barroso’s intention to ditch the social partners’ agreement on the protection of occupational health and safety in the hairdressing sector. Instead of attacking workers’ rights, the Commission should focus its efforts on ensuring that EU legislation is correctly applied throughout Europe and identify regulatory gaps.

Bruxelles, 24/10/2013 Check against delivery President(s), partners The European Trade Union Confederation was waiting with anticipation for the Commission Communication on strengthening the social dimension of Economic and Monetary Union, together with the role of social dialogue. But its adoption on 2 October left us profoundly dissatisfied. I would like to make a few brief remarks regarding this proposal and also on the general situation we are in.

Brussels, 24/10/2013 At the meeting the ETUC will demand that: - the Council change course, and launch a bold European recovery plan with a target of investing additional 2% GDP per year over the next decade drawing on national and European resources. The aim is to relaunch the economy leading to sustainable growth, to re-industrialise Europe and to create decent jobs, particularly in countries most affected by the crisis.

Brussels, 18/10/2013

Brussels, 17/10/2013 In January 2013, the ETUC and Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) set joint benchmarks for any future deal on labour rights, investment and the right of governments to regulate in the public interest and protect public services. Both trade union organisations called for more transparency in the negotiations.

Brussels, 16/10/2013 The launch of negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the USA represents a significant step-change in transatlantic relations, which collectively account for half of global GDP in terms of value. We are constantly told that this is more than a trade agreement, in yet when it comes to the social dimension we are still trapped in the trade-logic.

Brussels, 02/10/2013 The communication from the European Commission proposes five key indicators to prevent social imbalances in the EMU, which are supposed to serve as a “scoreboard” within the European semester system. The ETUC shares the objective of better coordination in the field of social and employment policies within the EMU, but deplores that the benchmark indicators – as they are proposed – would not result in a binding sanction mechanism similar to the ones existing for excessive imbalances macroeconomic procedure.

Brussels, 16/10/2013

Brussels, 15/10/2013

Brussels, 14/10/2013

Malta 03/10/2013 Check against delivery Mr Prime Minister, Dear President, Dear Tony, Dear Friends, Thank you for inviting me, on behalf of the European Trade Union Confederation, to address you on this historic occasion – the Seventieth Anniversary of the GWU.

Brussels, 08/10/2013