Brussels, 19/02/2009 Reacting to the European Commission’s 2010 Annual Policy Strategy that was published today, European Trade Union Confederation General Secretary John Monks stated: ‘I am surprised and deeply disappointed that the Commission does not include problems that have arisen in the single European labour market in respect of retrograde European Court of Justice judgements and posted workers as part of its policy agenda. I shall be raising these issues at the meeting with the College of Commissioners next week’.

Brussels, 18/02/2009 ETUC therefore urges European policymakers to prioritise policies which provide economic stimulus and create new sustainable jobs. The European Central Bank (ECB) and other central banks need to start buying public debts backing European investment projects in the areas of clean and renewable energies, European infrastructure and networks, modern cars and new transportation systems.

Brussels, 09/02/2009 He declared: 'They have, in effect, looted from the customers and shareholders and some are now doing the same thing to the taxpayers who have thrown them a life support system. They must be resisted and brought to realise their proper responsibilities'. Note For a definition of the macro-economic dialogue, please see ETUC's contribution to the macro-economic dialogue of 7 March 2005.

Brussels, 05/02/2009 For ETUC, interest rates in the euro area should have been brought to near zero months ago and policy makers should now be discussing how to organise the printing of money in order to finance the economy. Says John Monks, General Secretary of ETUC: ‘The economic situation is alarming and protectionist and nationalist pressures are rising. By postponing action to support the economy, the ECB is playing with fire’.

Brussels, 04/02/2009 ETUC welcomes the general principle of back payment of wages to migrant workers and the introduction of administrative and criminal sanctions against employers. These measures could play a dissuasive role on rogue businesses. But the directive will be difficult to enforce in practice because the agreed text fails to properly extend the liability to pay such sanctions to the whole subcontracting chain.

Brussels, 02/02/2009

Brussels, 29/01/2009

Brussels, 28/01/2009

Bruxelles, 28/01/2009 The Czech Republic took up the Presidency of the European Union during a period of unprecedented crisis, which was quickly followed by a wave of redundancies and restructuring plans. To cope effectively with the social consequences of this crisis that threatens to place ever greater numbers of workers in a situation of employment insecurity and carries the political risk of encouraging nationalism, an ETUC delegation submitted a number of proposals to the Czech prime minister during their meeting in Prague on 28 January.

Brussels, 22/01/2009 Never again - Ways to rebuild the European Social Market Economy

Brussels, 22/01/2009 Said John Monks: ‘I am very concerned about this communication. ETUC is ready to discuss issues of labour mobility, including legal aspects with the social partners, but has insisted that this is not an excuse for inaction by the Commission. If the Commission thinks that they can wash their hands of the issue they are completely wrong. It is urgent and today I call on them to think again. ETUC regards this issue as a central test for this and a future Commission.’

Bruxelles, 22/01/2009

Brussels, 21/01/2009 The ETUC has long supported the free movement of labour within the European Union to the extent of opposing transitional restrictions following the accession of the new Member States in 2004 and 2007. Despite the recession, ETUC will stand up for equal access to labour markets and the principle of equal treatment for all workers.