On September 11, members of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Press, Communication and Campaigns Committee met in Brussels to discuss issues that could have a direct impact on workers’ rights across Europe in the coming months.
The Lithuanian trade unions were represented by Jūratė Čilinskaitė, a full member of the Committee and Public Relations Specialist at the Lithuanian Confederation of Trade Unions (LPSK).
One of the key issues discussed was the European Commission’s (EC) forthcoming Quality Jobs Act. The second phase of consultations with the European social partners is currently underway. The European Commission launched the consultations in July, with the aim of preparing legislation to strengthen quality jobs.
It is important to distinguish between the Quality Jobs Roadmap and the forthcoming Quality Jobs Act. The Roadmap provides general, non-binding guidance, while trade unions are calling for a legally binding directive that would provide real protection for workers, strengthen collective bargaining, protect workers from abuses related to subcontracting, ensure appropriate regulation of the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and address other emerging risks.
The process also involves active discussions with business representatives, who are calling for fewer new mandatory safeguards and further simplification of rules. Trade unions therefore stress that the coming months are particularly important – now is the time to mobilise and clearly demonstrate what kind of working conditions European workers need.
EU Inc. – simpler rules must not mean fewer rights
Another important topic was the so-called EU Inc. / 28th regime, which aims to simplify the rules governing the establishment and operation of companies across the European Union.
Trade unions warn that simplifying business rules must not create opportunities to circumvent national labour law, collective agreements or workers’ rights. It is particularly important to clarify which labour law would apply to workers if a company operated in one country while being registered in another.
ETUC therefore opposes a model that could create opportunities for companies to compete by lowering labour standards.
It was noted that a trade union demonstration on EU Inc. will take place in Brussels on September 24. This will be an opportunity to clearly demonstrate that European competitiveness must not be built at the expense of workers’ rights.
Internships must be paid
The meeting also focused on the issue of unpaid internships. ETUC is calling for an EU directive to ban unpaid internships and ensure fair conditions for young people entering the labour market.
Unfortunately, the process is currently stalled, with trade unions seeing a lack of political will both among Member State ministers and within the European Commission. Trade unions therefore plan to strengthen their campaign in October, involving young people and public figures.
The key message is simple: an internship must not be a way of obtaining free labour.
October 20 – an important day in Strasbourg
One of the most important upcoming trade union actions will be the mobilisation in Strasbourg on October 20, outside the European Parliament, calling for quality jobs. The European Parliament will also be holding a plenary session at that time, making this a particularly important opportunity to draw MEPs’ direct attention to workers’ demands.
The meeting stressed that it is important not only to participate in European-level processes, but also to communicate actively at national level. Trade unions are encouraged to engage with Ministers for Social Security and Labour, Members of the European Parliament and other decision-makers, organise public actions and clearly ask decision-makers where they stand on issues that matter to workers.
The coming months will be crucial in determining what Europe’s labour market will look like in the future. The task of trade unions is to ensure that a more competitive Europe is not built by weakening workers’ rights, and that quality work becomes not just a promise, but a reality.