Lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender, queer and intersex workers (LGBTIQ) rights

The ETUC is committed to equal treatment and respect for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender, queer and intersex workers (LGBTIQ).

LGBTIQ workers still suffer from discrimination in the world of work and in society due to their sexual orientation.

In times of crisis, as in the case of the Covid pandemic, the rights of LGBTIQ people are even more under threat, due to lack of legislative protection and underrepresentation in workplaces and society in general.

We firmly believe that there is an urgent need for the EU and national governments to step up their efforts to improve and enforce legal protection for LGBTIQ people against discrimination. This would ensure their safety and guarantee their fundamental rights. To this end we encourage national governments and the EU, to re-open the discussion of the Horizontal Directive and to move towards its long-overdue adoption.  

In June 2021 the ETUC has adopted the resolution: LGBTIQ Rights are Trade Union Rights. The ETUC will continue to convene online meetings of the equality and non-discrimination working group, which among other will serve as a place for dialogue, exchange of the best practice and strategical planning towards the ETUC Congress 2024

The ETUC recognises the great work that has been done by its affiliates on a national level and commits to showcase their work and good practices in the dialogue with the EU institutions.  We will increase our work with national trade unions to support LGBTIQ equality at work and within the labour market. We will also continue to lobby with MEPs and Ministers to see that an effective LGBTIQ equality strategy is adopted in the EU.

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  • 07.12.2023 Document

    ETUC condemns the increasing criminalisation of LGBTIQ+ people and activists in Russia

    ETUC condemns the increasing criminalisation of LGBTIQ+ people and activists in Russia Statement adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 06-07 December 2023 Today the ETUC Executive Committee condemned a November 30 ruling by Russia's Supreme Court banning the activities of the "international LGBT movement" in the country. As there is no such organisation in existence, there was no defendant in court.
  • 01.06.2022 Page

    French company promotes inclusion

    A new three-year agreement between trade unions CFDT, CFE-CGC, CGT, FO and Legrand, the French electrical products and systems specialist which employs 5,500 people in France, adds protection for LGBT+ employees, training on workplace equality, and a new procedure for reporting sexist behaviour. Existing anti-discrimination measures will be strengthened to promote “the inclusion of all employees”.
  • 12.11.2020 Press release

    ETUC strongly supports LGBTIQ equality strategy

    Person waving a rainbow flag.
    Today, the European Commission has published its first ever LGBTIQ strategy. ETUC Confederal Secretary Ludovic Voet commented "ETUC strongly supports the European Commission's commitment to LGBTIQ equality. The equality strategy is a welcome proposal and deserves support. ETUC firmly believes that there is an urgent need for the EU and national governments to step up their efforts to improve and enforce legal protection against LGBTIQ discrimination, to ensure LGBTIQ safety and guarantee LGBTIQ rights.
  • 17.05.2020 Document

    ETUC statement on International Day Against Homophobia

    LGBT workers still suffer from discrimination in the world of work and in the society due to their sexual orientation. In times of Covid, as in other crises, these rights are even more under threat, due to lack of legislative protection and underrepresentation in workplaces and society in general.
  • 18.09.2019 Page

    Unions condemn Polish newspaper hate campaign

    European journalists’ trade unions have condemned the distribution of ‘LGBT-free zone’ stickers by the weekly paper Gazeta Polska. The ETUC-affiliated European Federation of Journalists says the stickers – featuring a black cross over the LGBT rainbow symbol – promote discrimination and violate the principles all journalists should adhere to.
  • 18.09.2019 Page

    Belgian unions join Pride celebrations

    Trade unionists took part in the five-day Pride festival in Antwerp in Flanders (northern Belgium) in August. More than 60 delegations participated in the Pride march, including the ETUC-affiliated General Labour Federation of Belgium (ABVV/FGTB) and the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (CSC/ACV),as well as political parties. ACV urged members and their friends to join the party to support equal opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
  • 30.06.2017 Document

    Madrid Declaration on 'The Rights of LGBTQI* People in the Workplace'

    The European Trade Union Confederation celebrated the 2017 World Pride at a trade union conference, hosted and co-organised by the Spanish trade unions CC.OO and UGT, on ‘The Rights of LGBTQI* People in the Workplace’, which took place on 29-30 June. The conference was an opportunity for the ETUC and its affiliated organisations, represented via the LGBTQI* rights trade union network, to strengthen their cooperation in the fight for human rights, trade union rights and equality for all workers.
  • 01.12.2016 Page

    Winning equal treatment for gay and lesbian workers

    In Munich, Germany, lesbian women are 12% less likely to be called for a job interview than their heterosexual counterparts. The ver.di union is supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or intersex (LGBTI) members through a specialised online forum and gay working group, aiming to create a gay-friendly environment.
  • 05.08.2016 Press release

    "Freedom at work"

    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. 
  • 16.05.2012 Press release

    ETUC, ETUCE and ILGA-Europe commit to work jointly to combat homophobic bullying in schools, in workplaces and in society

    Brussels, 16/05/2012 As democratic representative organisations, trade unions play a special role in society and contribute effectively to the development of many aspects of society, including education. Trade unions should continue to be at the forefront in tackling any forms of discrimination, at the workplace and in all their actions and activities. Good practices have already been initiated at national level by many public authorities, civil society organisations and trade unions. Let’s share them and expand them!
  • 05.02.2009 Document

    ETUC actions and activities on promoting equal rights, respect and dignity for workers regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity

    Brussels, 04/12/2009 Introduction The European Trade Union Confederation is at the forefront in defending human rights, trade union rights and equality for all workers. This commitment also includes the fight for equal treatment and non-discrimination, respect and dignity for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and trans-gendered workers (LGBT). As is said in the ETUC Congress document adopted in Seville in 2007:
  • 28.11.2008 Publication

    ETUC leaflet: Extending equality – Trade unions in action!

    Brussels, 2008 This leaflet is the outcome of the EC funded project ‘Extending equality’ that ETUC carried out in partnership with the European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA-Europe) in 2008.

Contacts

Mr Giulio ROMANI

Confederal Secretary

Ms Sarrah BENTAHAR

Project Officer

Ms Esyllt MEURIG

Administrative Assistant to Giulio Romani