At the start of the EU-African Union Summit today in Ivory Coast, the European Trade Union Confederation demanded an immediate suspension of EU efforts to keep refugees and migrants in Libya, at least until the safety and well-being of migrants can be guaranteed.
In addition to appalling detention facilities and conditions, there are now allegations of migrants being sold into slavery. The Summit is expected to call for an independent and thorough investigation into the slavery allegations, but the ETUC warns this is too little, too late.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes a Vatican Conference – today and yesterday - on labour and the workers’ movement (trade unions) being at the core of development, and on work having to be good for everyone.
An ETUC delegation, led by General Secretary Luca Visentini, attended the “Labor Unions International meeting: from Populorum progressio to Laudato si” organised by the Holy See in the Vatican City.
“Trade unions and employers play a major role in making work safe for women, and helping to eliminate harassment and violence against women,” said Luca Visentini, Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). “Collective agreements have shown to be a most effective means to combat this scourge.”
“Trade unions and employers play a major role in making work safe for women, and helping to eliminate harassment and violence against women,” said Luca Visentini, Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). “Collective agreements have shown to be a most effective means to combat this scourge.”
The EU’s Eastern Partner countries - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – whose Heads of Government/State will be in Brussels on Friday 24 November for the EU’s Eastern Partnership Summit, have a very poor record of implementing workers’ rights.
Commenting on the European Commission’s ‘Annual Growth Survey’ – which kicks off the annual economic policy-making ‘Semester’ – Katja Lehto Komuleinen, Deputy General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation said
“I hope today’s announcement is the beginning of better EU economic policy, the start of EU economic policy that is about fairness and living conditions and not just fiscal rules.”
Commenting on the European Commission’s Action Plan to tackle the gender pay gap, published today, Montserrat Mir, Confederal Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation said “We have been waiting far too long for renewed legislative action against the gender pay gap across the EU. The ETUC welcomes any promise to look at possible changes to the Gender Equality Directive, but looking has to be followed by doing. We need legally-binding obligations on pay transparency and sanctions against those that fail to deliver.”
Despite the irresponsible attitude of the US government, the UN COP 23 climate conference, which is ending today in Bonn, has confirmed that climate change is a major priority for countries, cities – which are playing a leading role in implementing climate action – civil society, business organisations and trade unions, says the ETUC.
Gothenburg, 17 November 2017
Esteemed authorities, social partners, civil society representatives,
On behalf of the European Trade Union Confederation, I would really like to thank Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and President Jean-Claude Juncker for having organised this summit, which is extremely valuable in bringing together all EU leaders to discuss putting the social dimension back on track in the European Union.
“Signing the European Pillar of Social Rights must be the starting gun of a race to implement it,” said Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). “The Social Pillar is useful only if it is the beginning of better things to come.”
Esteemed Presidents and Prime Ministers,
I would really like to thank Stefan Löfven for his kind offer to organise this extraordinary tripartite meeting, the day before the Social Summit.
This is a great opportunity for social partners to play a role in support of the European Pillar of Social Rights and for its implementation, following tomorrow’s proclamation.
Trade Unions at EU Social Summit 16-17 November
European trade unions will be at the EU Social Summit in Gothenburg, with a European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) event and trade union delegations taking part in an Extraordinary Tripartite Social Summit and the Social Summit.
Below are details of ETUC events open to journalists, and the participation and availability of trade unionists in Summit events.
16 November 2017
12.00-14.00 ETUC public event - Building a better Europe for working people
