Brussels, 02/04/2012 “We’ve waited 15 years for the recommendations from Gyllenhammar to be taken up. In those 15 years, millions of European workers have been subject to poorly planned and unfairly implemented restructuring processes. After 5 years of economic crisis, our patience is at its limits”, stated Judith Kirton-Darling ETUC Confederal Secretary. “It’s time for action on the right to training, stronger worker participation, and an industrial policy agenda promoting innovation and job creation”.

Brussels, 30/03/2012 The Revised European Social Charter, together with its Protocols, constitute the main tools for guaranteeing the protection of fundamental social rights in Europe. The ETUC urges the European Union and those member states that have not ratified the revised charter to do so as soon as possible. It is equally important that all member states adhere to the Collective Complaint Procedure.

Brussels, 29/03/2012 The European Union is at a crossroads and is living through the worst crisis of its history. It is time to further encourage a common understanding of what Europe needs, and find solutions to pave the way out of this exceptional situation. With their fourth autonomous work programme, European social partners intend to address the most essential issues at stake in order to foster better functioning labour markets and reach the EU 2020 employment rate target of 75% in order to create more and better jobs.

Brussels, 28/03/2012 The labour market reforms currently being put in place in many European countries, and particularly in Spain, are a matter of serious concern to the ETUC. They are unfair and unacceptable because they attack social protection policies, labour law and collective bargaining. Spain's political leaders – pushed by European Union requirements - are following a disastrous logic that leads to recession and unemployment. Constructive social dialogue is essential to prevent workers from having to pay for the crisis.

Brussels, 23/03/2012 The trade unions are no longer the only ones to recognise and to assert that austerity does not work. The collateral effects of austerity such as downward pressure on wages and the attacks against the European social model must stop. The ubiquitous claim that the Welfare State impedes economic growth and competitiveness is unacceptable. It is ideology in the guise of pragmatism. The priority is quality employment and the need for a stimulus plan for sustainable growth.

Brussels, 21/03/2012 Although the ETUC welcomes measures to improve the implementation of the Posting of Workers Directive, we consider that the new enforcement directive is too weak, in particular regarding the possibility to hold a contractor liable. President Barroso committed himself to take the necessary measures to fight social dumping. The proposals on the table are still very far from meeting this goal.

Brussels, 20/03/2012 If the version of the Monti II Regulation circulated last week is adopted tomorrow, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) will reject it. The ETUC cannot accept any attempt to undermine workers’ rights and social Europe. European workers expect the right to take collective action to be guaranteed without restriction. Neither economic freedoms nor competition rules can have priority over fundamental social rights. In case of conflict fundamental social rights shall take precedence.

Brussels, 16/03/2012

Brussels, 08/03/2012 Mrs Ségol will stress the fact that women in Europe have made progress, but will denounce the persistence of the unacceptable pay gap with men. She will confirm the European trade unions’ commitment to promoting gender equality and fighting inequalities. For the European trade union movement, equality cannot be just an empty word.

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, 07/03/2012 Greece is being pushed to one of the deepest economic slumps in modern times, forecast to cumulatively reach wartime recession levels of 25%–30%. Sacrifices imposed on workers, pensioners and their families are without precedent in the post war period. With more than one million unemployed, nearly 30% of the population has shifted to below the poverty line. Nearly a quarter of a million people rely on relief work for a daily meal.

Brussels, 02/03/2012

Brussels, 01/03/2012