The Euro-Mediterranean Social Partners DECLARATION ON SOCIAL DIALOGUE Third Union for the Mediterranean Employment and Labour Ministerial Conference of 26 and 27 September in, Jordan   Jordan, 26 September 2016

A broad group of civil society and consumer organisations as well as trade unions call on the EU’s trade ministers to reject the signature of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada [1]. The trade ministers are gathering in Bratislava today and tomorrow to discuss the ratification of the CETA agreement.

Just as the representation of workers on company boards is getting back on the political agenda*, an attempt is being made to get the German system of board-level worker representatives declared illegal! A case is being brought to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) claiming that the German law is discriminatory for the subsidiaries of German companies in Europe and therefore incompatible with European law.   

The OECD today calls for more investment and for investment to be excluded from Eurozone fiscal rules. It also notes that high inequality and stagnant wages make growth more difficult. Key quotes from the Outlook include “Poor growth outcomes combined with high inequality and stagnant incomes are further complicating the political environment, making it more difficult to pursue policies that would support growth and promote inclusiveness.”

Commenting on President Juncker’s State of the Union speech, Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, said: “I welcome the promise to double the investment plan, and to continue the Youth Guarantee. At the same time I am disappointed he did not announce any new action to tackle low wages, precarious work or the exploitation of migrant workers. There is also clearly still a need to press for more public investment as part of the Juncker plan.

Commenting on employment figures for Q2 2016 that show a

Common statement signed by 177 European and national Civil Society Organisations and Trade Unions, ahead of the EU27 Summit in Bratislava on 16 September 2016.

European and British trade unions will work closely together through Brexit to defend the interests and rights of workers on both sides of the Channel. Speaking at TUC Congress in Brighton today, ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini, will say “we will fight to make certain that workers’ interests, both in the UK and in Europe, are not damaged by Brexit – and to ensure that trade unions are involved in the negotiations.”

The recent ruling on Apple by the European Commission raises serious and significant questions about the tax regimes that apply to corporations operating in the European Union, says the European Trade Union Confederation.   “Of particular concern to the ETUC is the use of aggressive tax planning schemes to lower and minimise tax payable, with some corporations clearly paying ridiculously low amounts of tax on profits generated within the EU,” said Veronica Nilsson, Deputy General Secretary of the ETUC.  

Dear Readers, Welcome to the second edition of our National UPdates newsletter illustrating how trade unions at national as well as EU level are working constructively with other partners in society, including employers, governments and civil society organisations, for social progress and justice in Europe. National UPdates will be sent to your mailbox quarterly.  To read the document, please click here. Enjoy!

The European Trade Union Confederation today expressed its solidarity and sorrow at the victims and destruction caused by the earthquake in central Italy. “Our thoughts are with the people who have lost their lives, who have been injured and made homeless” said ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini “their families and loved ones. We salute the workers and volunteers who are helping the towns and villages which have been hit. Solidarity is needed immediately and in the coming weeks and months to rebuild lives and communities.”   

The ITUC and the ETUC are deeply worried by the latest developments in Turkey, including  the new attacks on press freedom and human rights with the ban of the daily ‘Ozgur Gundem’ and the detention of 23 journalist and staff members in Istanbul on 16 August. 

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) celebrates the Europride event taking place in Amsterdam on 6 August and will join the parade on a boat organised by the FNV Pink Network and attended by trade unionists from all over the world. Freedom at work is the theme of an international conference organised by the FNV Pink Network in the context of Europride, to celebrate diversity and create platforms for cooperation among unions in Europe and internationally.