Brussels, 18/01/2012 ETUC General Secretary Bernadette Ségol said: “We condemn this action inspired by the authorities in Ankara. Once more working people and their families are carrying the burden of austerity measures and privatisations in the electricity and communications sectors. We extend our solidarity to our colleagues in TURK-SEN and their members in EL-SEN and TEL-SEN”.

Brussels, 18/01/2012

Brussels, 12/01/2012 The text currently being circulated does not address the challenges created by the crisis. There is a real risk that a new treaty may further strengthen the obligation of member states to adopt fiscal policies that will accentuate rigid economic rules. A fiscal compact must go hand in hand with a social contract for Europe. It must give priority to investments that promote a sustainable economy, quality jobs and social justice, while combating inequalities.

Brussels, 10/01/2012 The Hungarian government’s measures, voted in in record time, follow the reform of the Labour Code which harms workers’ rights, particularly those of the most vulnerable workers.

Brussels, 09/01/2012

Brussels, 21/12/2011 The issue of youth employment and self-sufficiency are main concern of young people. Access to employment and the fight against unemployment are fundamental concern of young Europeans, and with good reason, as they will affect the course of their life.

Brussels, 16/12/2011

Brussels, 13/12/2011 The Durban Conference was brought to a close with an agreement which – for the moment! -- has managed to save the multilateral approach, but not really the climate. We are in fact still far from the measures needed to reach the goal of limiting global warming to 2°C maximum, even if steps in the right direction have been taken.

Brussels, 13/12/2011 "All workers have a right to working conditions respecting their health, safety and dignity regardless of the size of company they work for," reminded Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary, in opening the conference. "The ETUC will not accept a reversal of the burden of proof for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on the need for risk assessment when we know that workers are often more at risk in smaller workplaces."

Brussels, 09/12/2011 A new Intergovernmental Agreement is hailed as a solution to the Eurozone problem. But “more fiscal discipline, more automatic sanctions and stricter surveillance” that compose this fiscal compact will further anger European citizens and workers. It will not restore sustainable growth and give employment to millions of people.

Brussels, 05/12/2011

Brussels, 02/12/2011 Although the ETUC recognises the important contribution made by SMEs to create jobs and growth, it opposes the proposal to exempt them from EU legislation. Exempting small companies carrying out low risk activities from producing a written risk assessment, as proposed by the Commission, is a threat to workers' health and safety.