On 10th and 11th June will take place the EU-CELAC Summit, bringing together European, Latin American and Caribbean leaders to strengthen relations between both regions.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) are united in supporting the strengthening of links between Europe and Latin America based upon the principles of fairness and social justice. Both organisations support the integration processes in Europe and Latin America with a view to help resolve our pressing economic, social and environmental problems. In a joint declaration, European and Latin American trade unions call on EU-CELAC leaders to defend social rights across the two continents, challenge austerity policies affecting millions of workers and criticise the current model of trade relations, which exclude binding commitments on labour rights.
At the same time, the ETUC deeply regrets the decision of the European External Action Service to exclude the trade unions from the Summit. The ETUC has repeatedly called on Federica Mogherini, the EU High Representative, to rectify this decision which discriminates against workers, since employers and others will have the chance to address the Summit.
Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary, said “Taken together, our two trade union organisations represent over 100 million working people. I find it unconscionable that their voice will be silenced from the top table, especially as social justice must be top of the agenda”.
ETUC Declaration : http://www.etuc.org/declaration-7th-eu-latin-america-and-caribbean-trade-union-summit
