A turning point: Why the CJEUâs minimum wages ruling matters
By upholding the Minimum Wages Directive, the CJEU has set a clear signal: fair wages and strong collective bargaining are central to Europeâs social future. The judgment empowers governments to lift wage floors and tackle in-work poverty with renewed confidence.
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CESI Expert Commission on Education: More investments necessary for quality education
On May 10, CESIâs Expert Commission âEducation, Training and Researchâ (EDUC) convened for its first meeting of the year.
CESI supports ex-ante social impact assessments in policy-making
In April, the European Commission consulted about a possible promotion by the EU of so-called ex-ante distributional impact assessments in national policy making in order to prevent new legislation from having direct or indirect adverse effects on poverty levels and household incomes. CESI agrees with the objective of the initiative.
European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan
The Pillar sets out 20 key principles and rights essential for fair and well-functioning labour markets and social protection systems, structured around three chapters: equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions, and social protection and inclusion.
International Nursesâ Day: No health without the health care workforce!
May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, marks the International Nursesâ Day. CESI's Expert Commission âHealth Servicesâ, reunited on May 10 to collectively recognise the inestimable contribution that nurses bring to our societies.
DiWork study: Trade unions and workers must play an open-minded role in digital transitions
A new comparative study, commissioned by CESI under its EU co-funded DiWork project to the Lithuanian consultancy Visual Analytics, shows that trade unions and their members must participate constructively in ongoing digital transformations if they do not want to be sidelined and be adversely affected in the process.
May Day. Mayday? | Editorial of the Secretary General Klaus Heeger
May 1 was the International Workers' Day â May Day. May Day. Mayday?
Updated CESI position on an EU Care Strategy
As the European Commission drafts a long-awaited new EU Care Strategy, including proposals for Council Recommendations on long-term care and on early childhood education and care, CESI has updated its position with priorities on what the Care Strategy should contain for workers and employees in the sector, which it represents at the EU level.
CESI@home on energy Crisis and Inflation: What impacts on workers & citizens and what consequences for unions?
On Friday, April 8, CESI hosted a further edition of its CESI@home event series, this time on the topic of 'Energy inflation: What impacts on workers & citizens and what consequences for unions?' It made clear: The purchasing power of workers needs to be maintained, and this requires action far beyond short-term relief measures on high energy prices.
Occupational safety first! Making health and safety a fundamental right at work
On April 28, the World Health and Safety Day also known as the International Workersâ Memorial Day or the Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers, CESI pays tribute to all workers who have suffered from work accidents, distress and diseases. CESI advocates in favour of making health and safety a fundamental right at work and through its campaigns raises awareness on the importance of occupational safety.
CESI welcomes new EU initiative to attract skilled labour to the EU
On April 27 the European Commission put forward a long-awaited set of measures to attract skills and talent to the EU, including proposals for a revised Single Permit Directive and Long-Term Residents Directive and a Talent Pool to facilitate legal migration and attract skills and talent from around the world.
Ukraine crisis: one month on | Editorial of the Secretary General Klaus Heeger
Ukraine crisis: one month on â and what are the consequences for us in Europe?
CESI calls for implementation of new Council Recommendation on mobility of young volunteers
Today, the Council adopted a Recommendation for an improved mobility of young volunteers across the EU. CESI Youth welcomes the Recommendation in the post-pandemic context, following a long period of a lack of possibilities for young people to travel, gain volunteer experiences abroad, and contribute and enrich their European know-how.
On World Health Day CESI calls for more investment in the European public health sector
April 7 is World Health Day. On this occasion, our attention goes to health systems and health services which need additional support.
CESI welcomes Council conclusions on enhanced mobility of teachers and trainers
Earlier this week, on April 5, the Council adopted conclusions on enhancing teachersâ and trainersâ mobility. Representing teacher unions from across Europe, CESI welcomes the conclusions and calls for measures to implement them.
CESI meets WZZ F-O to discuss about the digital transition
On April 5, CESI met WZZ F-O as part of the DiWork project.
New position on minimum income schemes
As the European Commission draws up a new EU initiative on minimum income schemes, CESI published trade union priorities on what it should contain for workers in Europe.
New CESI position on an EU Care Strategy
As the European Commission drafts a long-awaited new EU Care Strategy, including proposals for Council Recommendations on long-term care and on early childhood education and care, CESI published a new position with priorities on what the Care Strategy should contain for workers and employees in the sector, which it represents at the EU level.
The independent trade unions in Europe united in CESI call for more solidarity as a response to the Ukraine war
It its meeting on March 17, the Presidium of CESI adopted a resolution calling for more solidarity as a response to the Ukraine war. The resolution follows a previous statement of the Presidium of February 24, issued shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
A digital transition fit for public services. CESI meets RJPS in Lithuania
On March 23, CESI met RJPS as part of the DiWork project.
New CESI resolution: EU security & defence following the Russian invasion of Ukraine - A public sector union perspective
At its meeting on March 22, CESI's statutory Expert Commission adopted a resolution in thesis points on 'EU security & defence following the Russian invasion of Ukraine: A public sector union perspective'.
CESI European Defence Roundtable (ERDT) and Expert Commission meeting on defence challenges for Europe
Today, as the Council adopted the EU's first Strategic Compass, a blueprint and an action plan for the further development of a European Defence Union, CESI's statutory Expert Commission âDefenceâ met online to discuss the Compass in combination with CESI trade union priorities in the area of defence and public services for 2022 and hosted the 4th edition of CESI's event series EDRT.
Preventing a lost generation 2.0: CESI Youth & partners make a case for investments in youth policies beyond the #EYY2022
On March 15, CESI Youth, the European Youth Forum and StartNet joined forces to host an online event on âPreventing a lost generation 2.0. - How to enhance young peopleâs transition to the labour market?â and took the opportunity to make a case for investments in youth policies also beyond the current European Year of Youth (EYY2022).
European Parliament report on fair and effective taxation notes tax fraud as a problem for public finances
In an own-initaitive report, the European Parliament calls for fairer taxation systems to support the pandemic and crisis recovery. CESI agrees with the need for improved coordination and cooperation among tax administrations of Member States to this end, but regrets the absence of a clear conclusion that this necessitates also more investments in tax administrations and its staff.
CESI@home on active labour market policies
On March 11, CESI held an online event on active labour market policies and the new roles for trade unions to support workers.
CESI welcomes EP resolution on conditionalities for Member States to receive EU funding
On March 10, the European Parliament adopted a resolution which politically supports recent judgments of the Court of Justice of the EU on the validity of EU Regulation 2020/2092 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget. CESI welcomes the resolution.
European Parliament own-initiative report on occupational health and safety calls for measures against third-party violence at work
On March 10, the European Parliament plenary adopted an own-iniative report on the EU's new strategic framework on health and safety at work post 2020. CESI welcomes the report, which emphasises in particular the need for decisive measures against third-party violence at work.
War in Europe | Editorial of the Secretary General Klaus Heeger
It is an ethical imperative to defend freedom, democracy, the rule of law, human dignity, and rights, and not least our multilateral liberal world order; to tackle the challenges of humanity, and not be subject to the bullying of the stronger one.'
Resolution of the Presidium of CESI on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
In a resolution adopted on 24/2, the Presidum of CESI strongly condemns the current Russian attack on Ukraine.
Protecting the victims of third-party violence and harassment at work: Compensation and sanctions
On March 4, CESI participated in the fifth webinar of the joint EU co-funded multisectoral social dialogue project âThe role of social partners in preventing third-party violence and harassment at workâ, in which it is a partner organization.
European Parliament calls for more investments in health workers
This week, on March 8, the European Parliament adopted an own-initiative report on reducing health inequalities and increasing cross-border health cooperation amongst member states, including through the development of excellence centres for treating rare diseases. CESI welcomes the report.
CESI meets LAADA and LVIPUFDA as part of the DiWork project
On March 10, CESI met LAADA and LVIPUFDA to discuss about the European Digital Strategy.
International Women's Day 2022: A lot remains to be done for gender equality
On the occasion of the annual International Women's Day on March 8, the President of CESI's statutory Commission on Women's Rights and Gender Equality, Kirsten LĂŒhmann, calls on the EU and Member State governments to move forward much-needed measures against violence against women and for more economic and social equality of women and girls in Europe.
Statement of the European Sunday Alliance on the annual European Day for a Work-Free Sunday on March 3 2022
On March 3, the annual European Day for a Work-Free Sunday, the European Sunday Alliance, where CESI is a member, calls on political leaders to put as a priority on the EU social policy agenda the establishment of a European weekly common day of rest.
CESI Expert Commission PA calls for investments in interoperability, digitalisation & staff retention
On March 2, CESI's statutory Expert Commission âPublic Administrationâ (PA) met online for the first time this year to decide main priorities for well-functioning public services in the EU for 2022.
European Commission fiscal policy guidance for 2023 towards Member States: A cautious balance
On Wednesday this week, the European Commission published guidance to the Member States on the nature of fiscal policies to pursue in 2023. CESI welcomes a cautious balance advocated by the European Commission between sustainable public debt management and growth-friendly investments.
European Commission sketches socially fair green-digital twin transitions
In its Communication 'Towards a green, digital and resilient economy', published on Wednesday this week, the European Commission outlined how it envisages the green-digital transition in Europe to be socially fair. CESI stresses that the costs incurred by this transformation must not be borne disproprtionally by citizens, consumers and workers.
CESI statutory Commissions Women's Rights & Gender Equality and Employment & Social Affairs start into 2022
Today, CESI's statutory Commissions on Women's Rights & Gender Equality and Employment & Social Affairs convened for their first meeting of the year to exchange with EU decision-makers on some of the key European social policy files that are currently in the making.
CESI on draft EU guidelines on collective bargaining of self-employed
In the context of a formal consultation, CESI has issued a statement on draft guidelines of the European Commission on the application of EU competition law to collective agreements regarding the working conditions of solo self-employed persons. CESI stresses that the guidelines must bring EU law in line with effective collective bargaining for all genuine solo-self employed.
CESI welcomes European Parliament call for more coordinated taxation policy in Europe
On February 15, the European Parliament adopted an own-initiative report with recommendations towards the European Commission and the Member State governments on how to reduce adverse effects of national tax reforms on the EU economy at large. CESI welcomes many of the suggestions to step up coordination between national tax systems.
European Commission to prioritise corporate social and environmental responsibility worldwide
As part of its âJust and sustainable economy packageâ, the European Commission presented today a Communication on Decent Work Worldwide and a proposal for a Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence.
Belgiumâs labour reform: flexibility should not endanger security
Following the international trend of flexible working schemes, Belgium announced four-day work weeks with the aim to strengthen national economy and improve workersâ work-life balance. National trade unions express strong reservations.
CESI welcomes EU Court of Justice confirmation of the validity of the âconditionality regulationâ
On February 16, the Court of Justice of the European Union confirmed in its judgments in cases C-156/21 (Hungary v Parliament and Council) and C-157/21 (Poland v Parliament and Council) the validity of EU Regulation 2020/2092 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget.
European Parliament defence report: Involving civilian and military personnel in EU security policies will be key
On Tuesday February 15, the European Parliament adopted its annual report on the functioning of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). On the occasion of the report, CESI reiterates that military and civilian personnel of the armed forces should be more consulted and involved in EU defence policy making and implementation.
CESI calls for the protection of the health workforce beyond the pandemic
Today, the European Parliament plenary endorsed an agreement reached with the Council on December 16 last year on a fourth revision of the EUâs directive 27/2004 on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work.
CESI supports European Parliament resolution on youth post-pandemic recovery
Today, on February 17, the European Parliament took one step forward in addressing the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on youth employment and education by voting in favour of a resolution on âEmpowering European youth: post-pandemic employment and social recoveryâ. CESI welcomes the resolution as an important sign of support for young persons in Europe.
CESI voices scepticism and concerns over possible degradations of working time provisions for bus and coach drivers
As the European Commission envisages to revise the rules on driving times for bus and coach drivers under Regulation 561/2006, CESI warns that any potential revision must not further degrade the existing rules.
CESI calls for further measures to boost the share of women in STEM professions
On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, CESI stresses the need for more inclusive policies in the fields of research and innovation.
Winter 2022 Economic Forecast: Positive growth and high inflation necessitate pay rise for workers
Today's economic outlook of European Commission, the Winter 2022 Economic Forecast, predicts encouraging economic growth across the EU, however coupled with high inflation rates at the same time. For CESI, it means that a pay rise is due for workers to maintain their purchasing power and financial well-being.
A new EU Declaration on digital rights and principles must include work & employment
On January 26, the European Commission proposed a new EU Declaration on digital rights and principles. CESI stresses that such as Declaration must not miss on digital rights and protection in work and employment.
