Dear colleagues, It is with deep sadness that we have learned the terrible news of the earthquake in Morocco which - according to the information available to us at present - has caused the death of more than a thousand people, with a further thousand injured. The European Trade Union Confederation, with its 45 million members from 93 organisations in 41 countries, wishes to express its deepest solidarity with you, your members, their families and, beyond that, with all workers and people in Morocco. We will be organising a solidarity visit as soon as possible.

Letter of the European Trade Union Confederation in view of the European Council meeting on 29-30 June 2023 sent to Heads of State and Government

Letter sent to: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission Urgent open letter concerning the European Union and Tunisia partnership package Dear President of the European Commission Ms Ursula von der Leyen,

The ETUC and its General Secretary, Luca Visentini sends its full support for the general strike of the UGTT (Tunisia) taking place on 16 June 2022, in particular their demands for

In Nicosia, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot journalists’ unions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding encouraging cooperation between members from both communities.

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

In a joint declaration the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Bernadette Ségol and the General Secretary of the Union Générale des Travailleurs Tunisiens - UGTT (General Union of Tunisian Workers) Houcine Abassi underlined the importance of economic recovery in Tunisia. Bernadette Ségol said "It's certainly very important that the European Union and Member States help to strengthen security in Tunisia. A climate of confidence is vital for the well-being of citizens and visitors, and also for investments to recover".

Adopted by the ETUC Executive Committee at its meeting on 17-18 June 2015 The ETUC expresses its support for the demonstration on immigration which will take place on Saturday 20 June 2015 in Rome. The tragedy in the Mediterranean, the loss of thousands of lives, the terrible suffering of those who seek refuge fleeing hunger, poverty, war and persecution require a European response based on humanity, solidarity, integration and inclusion. Europe must overcome divisions and nationalism and give a common response to this humanitarian emergency.

The European Trade Union Confederation gives its full support to colleagues in Arab countries in their defence of people’s rights, in particular the right to a dignified and safe life.  The ETUC in particular subscribes to the statement of the Arab Trade Union Confederation https://www.ituc-csi.org/declaration-of-the-arab-trade.  

“It is clear that Tunisia has since the revolution been in the crosshairs of Islamist terrorist groups that are trying to destabilise the country and to ruin its economic prospects through their actions,” declared Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), in Brussels.

Video message by Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary, for the Arab Trade Union Confederation conference (Jordan - 1-2 October 2014)

The General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, Bernadette Ségol, today called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a new start for peace negotiations. “The spiral of violence seems to be endless”, said Bernadette Ségol. “But the international community – with the full support of the European Union - must insist on an end to the violence and a new serious effort to find a peaceful political solution.”

Tom Jenkins (send a mail) Advisor:Peter Seideneck (send mail) Sec:Stéphanie Wouters (send mail) Tel: +32 2 2240531 fax: +32 2 2240454/55

Brussels, 08/10/2013

Brussels, 29/07/2013

Brussels, 26/03/2013 In his address, the Secretary General of the UGTT, Hussein Abassi, underlined the major challenges his country is confronted with in order to complete the fundamental democratic changes. UGTT will contribute to establish authentic democratic institutions and to work on a broad consensus, based on human rights and social justice.

Brussels, 07/02/2013 Just a few days before his death, Chokri Belaid had denounced attempts to destabilise the State through violence and the machinations of obscure militias. The State did nothing to protect his life, although it should have done so, because Chokri Belaid had been receiving threats for a long time. It was no secret to anyone.

Brussels, 13/12/2012 After initially attempting to play down the incident, the Tunisian government agreed to reopen negotiations, on 11 December, with the trade union leadership. The talks led to an agreement in which the government pledged to set up a joint commission of enquiry to identify those responsible for the violence being perpetrated against trade unions for over a year and to bring the culprits to justice within the space of no more than 40 days, in exchange for the calling off of the general strike announced for 13 December by the UGTT.

Brussels, 05/12/2012 The ETUC Executive Committee, meeting on 5 December in Brussels, expressed their deep concern at recent developments related to the draft Egyptian constitution. According to the constitution the current authorities seek to impose, trade union pluralism will de facto be prohibited and the state will continue to exercice control on trade unions. The ETUF - that was the transmission belt of the Mubarak regime – would, if the constitution is adopted, continue to function as the transmission belt of the Morsi regime.

Brussels,05/12/2012

Brussels, 08/03/2012 Following a discussion in the Executive Committee on 6-7 March, the ETUC demands European Commission to intervene urgently with the military government of Egypt to annul the 26 February sentence against Kamal Abbas, general coordinator of the Centre for Trade Union and Worker Services (CTUWS), which was unfairly sentenced, in absentia, to six months imprisonment for “insulting a public officer”.

Brussels, 22/02/2012 The ETUC expressed its full solidarity with the UGTT, which was at the forefront of the movement for democracy in Tunisia and more widely in the region, and joined in its call for the aggressors to be brought to justice and for the authorities to respect their engagements. To download the UGTT Executive Bureau statement , please click on the icon below.

Brussels, 03/10/2011

Brussels, 11/03/2011