CESI@noon on affordable housing
As rents and real estate prices continue to skyrock, CESI Youth held a CESI@noon lunchtime debate on possible EU measures for more affordable housing.
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Trade Council âCentral Administration & Financesâ discusses digitalisation, mobility, austerity in public services
During its annual meeting in Brussels today, CESI's Trade Council 'Central Administration and Finances' - the members' sectoral forum to discuss European political subjects with implications for central administration workers - discussed on consequences of intra-EU mobility on social security systems and public services, impacts of digitalisation on employment relationships and trade unionism in public administrations, and influences of continued cuts in public budgets on the functioning of and work in public administrations.
CESI Youth speaks up for social & labour market integration of refugees at the EYE in Strasbourg
At this year's European Youth Event (EYE) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on May 20/21, the CESI Youth - CESI's platform for and of young affiliates - was prominently present with a group 26 affiliates. The delegation ran a successful booth on trade union work for young people and held a well-visited workshop on a positive reception of young refugees in Europe. CESI Youth Representative MatthÀus Fandrejewski was also a panelist in a debate on the social and labour market integration of migrants in the European Parliament's plenary chamber.
EU-Turkey summit: A deal â but many questions remain
Last Friday, the EU heads of state and government convened in Brussels for a summit with a delegation of the Turkish government to find a deal on an effective migration management at the Greek-Turkish border. The deal that was agreed on is a signal that the EU can act, but it is far from being positive throughout.
CESI Youth meets in Strasbourg to propose Vice Youth Representative and adopt new position on youth migration
Yesterday, the CESI Youth, CESI's internal platform of young affiliates, convened for its annual meeting in Strasbourg, France. The focus of the meeting was a discussion on draft statutes for the CESI Youth, the nomination a new Vice Youth Representative and the adoption of a position paper on youth migration.
CESI speaks at hearing on posted workers in the Committee of the Regions
Yesterday, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger intervened at an expert hearing on the revision of the EU posting of workers directive in the Committee of the Regions.
Trade Council âPost & Telecomsâ meets in Tirana
On Friday, May 12, CESI's Trade Council 'Post & Telecoms' - the members' sectoral forum to discuss European political subjects with implications for post and telecoms employees - convened for its annual meeting in Tirana, Albania. The meeting took place in the context of a conference with Albanian politicians and decision-makers on the functioning of social dialogue and trade unionism in Albania.
CESI Trade council âDefenceâ discusses political priorities of armed forces personnel
Today CESIâs Trade council âDefenceâ met for its annual meeting in Brussels. This time, CESIâs membersâ forum for deliberation and internal positioning on EU defence policy saw lively discussions on several key political priorities of armed forces personnel.
Commission proposal on a targeted revision of the posting of workers directive: Some good, some bad
Earlier this week, the Commission published a proposal for a targeted revision of the EU posting of workers directive. According to CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger, the proposal contains useful suggestions but also stops short of the objective to ensure a completey equal treatment of mobile EU workers compared to 'domestic' ones.
May 9 â Europe Day
On the occasion of Europe Day, CESI recalls the multitude of achievements that Europe has made in order to reach peace and stability and warns that the EU needs to keep evolving and address its current challenges if it wants to remain successful.
Kirsten LĂŒhmann on the International Womenâs Day: âStep it up for gender equality!â
March 8 is International Womenâs Day. Celebrated under the auspices of the UN every year since 1977, the day has become an instrumental tool for the UN to remind of persisting gender equalities across the globe. This yearâs theme is âPlanet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for gender equalityâ â an UN initiative which asks governments to make national commitments to close existing gender equality gaps in their countries. Kirsten LĂŒhmann, President of CESIâs Commission on Womenâs Rights and Equality, takes the occasion to recall that 2015 was, overall, a year of stagnation for better gender equality in Europe, and that the EU and its member states must resume their efforts to achieve real progress.
CESI again a member of the EU Platform for Tax Good Governance
CESI has been selected by the European Commission as one of 15 non-government members to become part of the EU's Platform for Tax Good Governance for the time from April 2016 to June 2019. CESI has already been a member in the past and can now continue to work in the Platform in the future too.
Trade council âLocal & Regional Administrationsâ convenes for its annual meeting
On Friday, April 29, CESI's Trade council 'Local and regional administrations' - the members' sectoral forum to discuss EU-political subjects with implications for employees in local and regional administrations - convened for its annual meeting in Brussels. Topics addressed ranged from the integration of refugees to privatisations in water supply services.
CESI speaks at European Semester Allianceâs parliamentary hearing on the European Semester
On Tuesday this week, the European Semester Alliance held a hearing in the European Parliament on the functioning of the European Semester, hosted by MEPs Marian Harkin and Sergio Gutiérrez-Prieto. As a member of the European Semester Alliance group, CESI presented the perspective of trade unions on how employment policies and measures are being handled under the European Semester.
International Workersâ Day: Quo vadis, Europe?
On the occasion of this year's International Workers' Day, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger recalls the long way that the EU still has to go to realise fair working conditions for all.
World Day for Health and Safety at Work: Public sector workers in the focus
Today is World Day for Safety and Health at Work. Initiated by the ILO in 2003 as an annual day to commemorate victims of occupational diseases and accidents, it has remained - unfortunately - topical ever since. CESI takes the occasion of this year's World Day to recall that occupational heath and safety for all remains a challenge to be met.
Trade Council âHealth servicesâ sees signing of two transnational cooperation agreements on fair labour mobility
Today, CESI's Trade council 'Health services' - the membersâ forum to discuss EU level health service policies - convened for its annual meeting in Brussels. Next to discussions on a variety of topics related to the needs of employees in the healthcare sector, two new transnational collaboration agreements on fair labour mobility were signed between three of CESI's member organisations: The German dbb, the Dutch CNV-Connectief and the Spanish SAE trade union organisations.
CESI Presidium meets to prepare 2016 Congress
Today, CESI's Presdium met in Amsterdam. The overarching objective of the meeting, hosted by CESI's Dutch member organisation CNV Connectief, was to make first preparations for the next Congress which will take place in December in Brussels.
New position papers on migration management and the fight against radicalisation and terrorism
At its meeting in Amsterdam, the Presidium today adopted two new detailed position papers on migration management and the integration of migrants as well as on the fight against radicalisation and terrorism.
European Commission CBCR proposal: Long awaited but insufficient to end tax avoidance practices
Today, European Commissioner Jonathan Hill (picture) presented the Commission's long awaited proposal on corporate tax transparency, suggesting public reporting obligations for certain companies in the EU.
Trade Council âEducationâ annual meeting: What role for teachers in the prevention of radicalisation?
Today, CESIâs Trade council âEducation, Training and Researchâ convened for its annual meeting in Brussels. The Trade council, CESIâs main membersâ forum to discuss EU level education policies, deliberated on a key challenge that teachers and educators face at work: How to implement the Paris Declaration of March 17 2015 on the promotion of citizenship and common values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education?
CESI partner of 2016-17 EU-OSHA âHealthy workplacesâ campaign
In 2016-17, CESI will again be a partner of EU-OSHA's 'Healthy workplaces' awareness raising campaign. Having been involved in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 'Healthy workplaces' campaigns on 'Working together for risk prevention' and 'Healthy Workplaces Manage Stress', CESI will now participate for the third time in Europe's biggest awareness raising campaign on occupational health and safety. The 2016-17 edition is themed 'Healthy workplaces for all ages'.
Disclosure of income tax information by multinational corporations: Joint letter sent to Commission President Juncker
Today, a group of 46 trade unions and civil society organisations, including CESI, sent a joint letter to Commission President Juncker, asking for action on an effective disclosure of income tax information by multinational corporations.
Brussels, Istanbul, Ankara, âŠ: CESI condemns brutal and coward attacks on civilians
In the light of the today's terrorist attacks in Brussels and the recent bombings in Ankara and Istanbul, CESI's Secretary General Klaus Heeger reiterates his dismay about the increasing occurrence of violent attacks on civilians in Europe and beyond.
CESI Trade council âSecurityâ deliberates on needs of workers in the security sector
On Wednesday this week, CESIâs Trade council âSecurityâ convened for its annual meeting in Brussels. The Trade council, CESIâs main membersâ forum to discuss challenges in EU internal security policy, deliberated on several challenges related to the needs of employees in the security sector.
CESI Trade council âJusticeâ addresses working conditions & labour rights in the justice sector
Yesterday, CESIâs Trade council âJusticeâ held its annual meeting. This year, CESIâs principal membersâ forum to discuss developments in EU justice policy addressed several important challenges related to working conditions and labour rights in the justice sector.
Social rights pillar communication: Good objectives â but open questions on the implementation side
Today, the European Commission published a communication on a preliminary outline of the European pillar of social rights. CESIâs Secretary General Klaus Heeger welcomes many of the objectives laid out in the communication but stresses that many questions remain open on how they will be implemented effectively .
CESI holds Erasmus+ seminar on youth participation in trade unions
On March 3-4, CESI held a membersâ seminar on âYouth and the unions: an example of participation in democratic lifeâ. The meeting, which brought together 35 young trade unionists from CESI member organisations in Brussels, concluded in the European Parliament with a presentation of recommendations for an enhanced participation of young people in civic processes and trade unionism, hosted by MEP Monika Vana (Greens/EFA).
CESI participates in social partner hearing on work-life balance legislation
Yesterday, the European Commission held a dedicated hearing with social partners on forthcoming measures in matters of its recently published Roadmap on work-life balance. CESI also participated in this hearing.
CESI and EPC hold expert workshop on social investments
Today, CESI together with the European Policy Centre (EPC) held an expert workshop on âHow to integrate the concept of social investment in the macro-economic and fiscal governance instruments of the EU?â. This was the second meeting of its kind following an initial workshop on âMeasuring the efficiency and effectiveness of social investment policies and designing the right policy mixâ on October 9 2015.
New settlement for the UK: A bad day for the EU
The 28 heads of state and government of the EU Member States have agreed on a new settlement for the UK within the EU. What has been decided unanimously actually puts at risk two of the founding pillars of the EU: the principles of non-discrimination and the free movement of labour, deplores CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger.
Full house at CESI-Eurodiaconia parliamentary breakfast on fair labour mobility
Yesterday, CESI in cooperation with Eurodiaconia held a breakfast meeting in the European Parliament, hosted by MEP Jean Lambert, on fair labour mobility in the EU. With the participation of MEPs from four parliamentary groups, the European Commission's Director for labour mobility and a research expert from the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), the meeting saw a full house in a 60-seat European Parliament members' salon.
European Semester Alliance to hold parliamentary hearing on March 1 on the functioning of the European Semester
On March 1, the European Semester Alliance will hold a hearing in the European Parliament on 'The Annual Growth Survey (AGS) behind, the Semester ahead: What proposals to make Europe 2020 more social, democratic and sustainable?'. As a member of the Semester Alliance, CESI will also speak at the hearing. Registration is still possible until February 23.
Europe Academy 2015 project on information & consultation of workers: Synthesis report published
The synthesis report of the 2015 project of CESI's Europe Academy on 'Better anticipate change and restructuring in public administrations in Europe: The role of information and consultation of workers' is now available on CESI's website.
CESI participates in CONFSAL conference on education for professional development
On 29 January, 2016, CESIâs Italian member organisation CONFSAL held a high level conference in Rome on the importance of a quality education for the cultural, personal and professional development of young people. CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger spoke for CESI at the conference.
CESI SOC/FEMM-Commissions discuss the future direction of EU employment and gender equality policies
Today, CESI's Commissions on Employment and Social Affairs Commission (SOC) and Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) convened for their first meeting of the year in Brussels. As CESI's most important members' committees for deliberation and positioning on horizontal aspects of EU employment, gender equality and social policy, the meetings saw orientation debates on the major topics that will be worked on during 2016.
CESI to host Erasmus+ seminar on civic engagement of young persons in trade unions
On March 3-4, CESI will host a seminar on âYouth and the unions: An example of participation in democratic lifeâ.
A positive signal: European Parliament calls for an exclusion of public services from TiSA and other future trade agreements
Yesterday, the European Parliament's plenary adopted its own-initiative report on recommendations to the European Commission on the negotiations for the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA). The report calls to exclude public services from the agreement. CESI welcomes the report and hopes that the Commission will follow the recommendations of the European Parliament.
New Anti-tax avoidance package: A step in the right direction but also only just a start
Today, the European Commission released its Anti-Tax Avoidance Package. It is part of the Commission's ambitious agenda for fairer, simpler and more effective corporate taxation in the EU and follows the final OECDâs 2015 Base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) package for a reform of the international tax system to tackle tax avoidance. According to CESI, the package is a step ion right direction but can also only be a start for more action to come.
Forthcoming on February 18: Parliamentary breakfast event on fair labour mobility
On February 18, CESI in cooperation with Eurodiaconia will hold a breakfast meeting on fair labour mobility in the European Parliament. Registration for the event, which will be hosted by MEP Jean Lambert (Greens/EFA, UK), is open until February 10.
CESI and EU sectoral social dialogue committee on central government administrations open tender procedure on study on health & safety in central government administrations
The European Social Dialogue Committee in Central Government Administrations (SDC CGA), comprising CESI and the Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) for the employees and the European Public Administration Employers (EUPAE) for the employers, has opened a tender procedure for a guide and study on psychosocial risks in central government administrations. The deadline for participation in the procedure is February 4.
CESI Europe Academy 2016 on health and safety in the public sector â Open call to tender for a supporting study
The topic of the project of the CESI Europe Academy (CESI's internal training and capacity building center) for 2016 has been formally set to "Health and Safety at Work in the Public Sector in Europe: New Challenges". To inform the project, CESI has opened a call to tender for the production of an accompanying research and study paper. The deadline for participation in the tender procedure is February 5 2016.
Upcoming on October 19: CESI@noon event with Jean Asselborn on âPublic sector workers in Europe facing the new challenges of migrationâ
October 19 will see the next edition of CESI's event series 'CESI@noon' with a lunchtime panel debate on a highly topical subject: Public sector workers in Europe facing the challenges of migration. Registration is now possible via the CESI webpage.
Parliament working document calls to exclude public services from TiSA
After having concluded its file on recommendations for the European Commission on the negotiations for TTIP, the European Parliament has today started working on an analogue file on recommendations on the negotiations for TiSA. As a European trade union confederation representing several million public sector workers, CESI welcomes that a first working document calls to exclude public services from the trade agreement and hence rule out TiSA-induced destructive liberalisation forces for the sector.
CESI Youth selected as partner of the European Youth Forum for the European Youth Event 2016
Yesterday, the European Youth Forum announced the selection of CESI's youth organisation, the CESI Youth, as one of its YO!Fest partners at the next European Youth Event (EYE), which will take place on May 20-21 2016. It is the second time that the CESI Youth has been selected.
European Semester Alliance calls on President Juncker to bring Europe 2020 back on track
Yesterday, the European Semester Alliance, a stakeholder group where CESI is a member, addressed a letter to European Commission President Juncker to express its concerns about the direction his Commission has taken when it adopted the Country-specific recommendations for 2015. In this context, the letter urges him âto address this and turn the 2016 AGS into a first step towards a European Semester that is democratic, social, sustainable and inclusiveâ. âUsing the European Semester purely as an instrument to ensure macro-economic and monetary stability will not help you bring the EU closer to its citizensâ, the letter adds.
Eurofound 2014 report on collectively agreed wages: Central administration wage freezes and lack of social partner involvement in wage setting still widespread
In its recently issued 2014 report on developments in collectively agreed pay in EU Member States, the EU agency Eurofound found that central administration employee wages are still frozen in many EU Member States and that in others social partners are not (yet) involved in wage setting. Overall, from a trade union perspective, the report highlights encouraging trends as well as worrying developments.
EU Court of Justice: Travelling time to and back from work to be considered working time
In a judgment issued last week, the Court of Justice of the EU ruled that the journeys made by workers without fixed or habitual place of work between their homes and the first and last customer of the day constitute working time. This brings concrete improvements for many mobile workers - especially in the care sector.
Consultation on corporate tax transparency: Extended country-by-country reporting and disclosure of tax rulings necessary
Yesterday, CESI submitted its answer to a public consultation on increased corporate tax transparency, launched by the European Commission last June together with an action plan for fair and efficient corporate taxation in the EU. The consultation is to gather feedback on whether companies should have to publicly disclose more tax information, including through country-by-country reporting (CBCR). CESI believes so.