Global challenges and modern warfare demand concerted action through a European Defence Strategy. The working and living conditions of European soldiers has undergone significant changes. The move towards an army of professionals means special attention needs to be paid to the social problems facing defence staff in all EU countries. Working conditions of the sector have to be improved targeting especially psychological restraints imposed, such as post-traumatic-stress-syndrome.
CESI strives to establish full trade union rights for workers in the defence sector with the improvement of working conditions remaining a constant goal for the expert commission.
In 2026, the Expert Commission will focus on topics including avocacy on:
- simplifying defence and sensitive security procurement
- the forthcoming communication on the Defence Single Market
- building a true European Defence Unionwith trade union involvement,i
- ensuring data protection and digital sovereignty in the military context
- improved attractiveness, social security and working conditions of personnel and reservists in the armed forces including through a harmonisation of social and legal frameworks
- the implementation of the new EU Preparedness Union Strategy and a potential new European Civil Defence Mechanism inspired by the Union Civil Protection Mechanism
