On 16–17 June, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Youth Committee is holding a series of events in Brussels, bringing together young trade union representatives from across Europe to discuss work-life balance, working time reduction and the challenges faced by young workers in today’s labour market. The Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation (LPSK) is represented at these events by its International Secretary, Jonas Januškevičius.
The first day of the event was dedicated to the topic of working time reduction and achieving a better balance between work and personal life. Participants were presented with the analytical study “The Fight for Time: Working Time Reduction and Work–Life Balance”, which highlights that an increasing number of young people value not only fair pay but also the opportunity to maintain a healthy personal life, avoid burnout and have more time for family, personal development and leisure.
Discussions emphasised that long working hours, unpredictable schedules and high work intensity have a significant negative impact on young workers’ mental health. Research shows that younger employees are more likely to experience emotional exhaustion, conflicts between work and personal life, and lower levels of overall well-being.
For this reason, trade unions across Europe are increasingly advocating for shorter working weeks without loss of pay, as well as stronger guarantees for workers’ right to disconnect outside working hours.
The event also showcased successful collective bargaining achievements from Austria, Iceland, Sweden, Germany, Italy and Belgium. In these countries, trade unions have negotiated shorter working weeks, better work organisation and additional rest provisions, contributing to improved employee well-being, reduced stress and making workplaces more attractive for young people.
On 17 June, the ETUC Youth Committee meeting focuses on key European Union initiatives affecting young workers, including the Quality Traineeships Directive, the proposed Quality Jobs Act, the activities of the Trade Union Renewal Academy, and preparations for the ETUC Congress 2027.
The programme also includes elections to the ETUC Youth Bureau and discussions on the Youth Committee’s strategic priorities for the 2026–2028 period.
A strong emphasis is placed on increasing youth participation in trade unions and collective bargaining. Participants underline that working time reduction, better work-life balance, mental health protection and quality jobs are among the key priorities for attracting young people to trade unions and building a fairer and more socially just labour market across Europe.