CESI stands in solidarity with all those affected by the recent ‘DANA’ (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) storms and floods in Spain.

Following the severe flash flooding on October 29, 2024, which struck southern and eastern regions, record rainfall has resulted in at least 95 fatalities, with many casualties reported. The situation remains dire as numerous individuals are still unaccounted for.

Over 1,000 soldiers were deployed for rescue operations, yet access to affected towns was severely hindered by flooded roads and downed power lines.

Ruben del Campo, spokesperson for the national weather agency, reported that this week’s ‘DANA’ ranks among the three most severe storms to strike the Valencia region in the last century. “Forecasts aligned with outcomes,” he said. “However, in a region between Utiel and Chiva in Valencia province, rainfall surpassed 300 liters per square meter, where storm systems formed and regenerated continuously.”

The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) has been activated to assess the flood’s extent and damage. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced EU support through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which is already mobilised.

CESI extends heartfelt gratitude to the courageous men and women of Spain’s emergency services, including firefighters, first responders, and the Security Forces and Corps.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “This devastating situation reminds us of the essential role civil protection and emergency services play in our society. These courageous professionals are on the frontlines, responding to the impacts of climate change. Their dedication is vital to our communities’ safety and well-being, and their service must be fully supported and valued. Their bravery deserves recognition.”

One of the pivotal discussions of the day centered on the potential introduction of a new EU Directive on Quality Traineeships. Chiara Monti, Deputy Head of Unit for ‘Future of Work, Youth Employment’ at the European Commission, introduced the debate, during which participants highlighted the need to establish stronger guidelines to ensure that traineeships provide meaningful learning experiences while safeguarding the rights of young workers.

MEP Dennis Radtke, European Parliament rapporteur on European Works Councils (EWCs) joined for a further debate on a revision of the European Works Councils (EWC) Directive. The discussion emphasised the need for clearer and more enforceable regulations to protect workers’ rights within multinational companies operating across the EU and for better dialogue between employees and management, ensuring that workers are adequately represented in decisions impacting their working conditions, particularly in times of company restructuring or transnational change.

Following a workshop in collaboration with the European Policy Centre (EPC) on October 8 on the labour inclusion of Ukrainian refugees, Anastasia Karatzas, Policy Analyst at the EPC, presented key takeaways from this workshop. Subsequent discussions centered around best practices to integrate Ukrainian refugees into the EU labor market, highlighting the challenges these individuals face, such as recognition of qualifications, language barriers, and securing stable employment. As such, the debate aimed to inform policy recommendations to facilitate smoother transitions for refugees into the workforce, contributing both to their personal stability and to the broader European economy.

Specifically, the workshop brought together stakeholders from the European Commission, national public employment services, trade unions, and Ukrainian diaspora organisations to explore how networks can be leveraged to provide durable solutions for refugees seeking employment in the EU.

It showcased how, with the temporary protection status for Ukrainian refugees extended to March 2026, uncertainty surrounding their long-term prospects remains a pressing issue. While legislative and operational efforts at both EU and national levels have promoted labour market access for refugees, structural barriers still hinder full inclusion. These include difficulties in recognising qualifications, accessing necessary socio-economic rights such as housing and childcare, and integrating into the job market in a manner that reflects their skills and aspirations.

The workshop aimed to address these challenges by examining the role of networks such as local authorities, public employment services (PES), social partners, and the Ukrainian diaspora in facilitating refugee labour market inclusion.

As key discussion points emerged:

1. Job matching and skills recognition: A critical theme of the workshop was the effectiveness of job-matching efforts aimed at aligning refugees’ skills with labour market needs. Representatives from public employment services shared insights on employer incentives, skills development programmes and job placement services. While these initiatives have been instrumental in supporting refugees, gaps remain in ensuring that employment opportunities match the skills and qualifications of Ukrainians.
2. Role of networks in short- and long-term assistance: Community networks, including the Ukrainian diaspora, have been central to advancing refugees’ self-reliance. These groups have not only provided access to essential services like training and language courses but have also played a pivotal role in job matching and psycho-social support. However, the workshop highlighted the need for a more coordinated approach, where local authorities, PES and social partners could work together more effectively to address both short-term integration and long-term employment prospects.
3. Coordination and resource allocation: One of the workshop’s key takeaways was the challenge of coordination between various networks and levels of governance. Speakers pointed out that unclear delineation of responsibilities between local, national, and EU actors has led to fragmented efforts and duplicated services, which diminish the overall impact of integration policies. Additionally, the allocation of resources, particularly EU funding for skills development and employment services, has not always been accessible to local authorities and community networks, further complicating the inclusion process.

The workshop also explored the concept of so-called ‘dual intent’ policies, which focus on providing refugees with pathways to either remain in the EU workforce or return to Ukraine when conditions permit. Representatives from the Ukrainian diaspora emphasised the importance of maintaining strong links between EU-based networks and their Ukrainian counterparts to support potential return and reintegration efforts. These policies would enable refugees to gain valuable skills and experience in the EU while preparing them for eventual contributions to Ukraine’s reconstruction.

As the war in Ukraine continues and long-term solutions for refugees become more urgent, the workshop underscored the need for enhanced coordination and targeted support. Recommendations included the establishment of clearer frameworks for collaboration between networks, more accessible funding mechanisms for local and community actors, and policies that address both immediate integration needs and future reintegration into Ukraine. The discussion concluded with a call for the EU to take a more active role in supporting these networks, particularly through improved coordination and the creation of sustainable employment pathways for refugees.

By promoting better collaboration and leveraging the strengths of existing networks, the EPC-CESI workshop highlighted the potential for durable solutions that can offer Ukrainian refugees a future of self-sufficiency, whether within the EU or in their eventual return to Ukraine.

Dear members, partners, and friends,

As the European Parliament gears up for the upcoming Commissioner hearings, I had the chance to meet with both newly elected and returning MEPs to align on shared priorities for 2024-2029.

From social rights to boosting competitiveness, from fair taxation to civil protection, and from defense to reinforcing public services: the coming years are poised to be pivotal.

A major focus was the future of employment in the digital era. While new technologies and AI promise vast opportunities, they also present significant risks. The need for updated regulations, such as a directive on the right to disconnect and fair conditions for remote work, is urgent. CESI’s resolution on AI advocates for strong workforce involvement in shaping this future.

Beyond the digital frontier, we discussed the proposals for the revision of the European Works Council (EWC) directive and a new directive aimed at improving conditions for trainees. These measures need rapid adoption. EWCs, currently limited to consultation, should evolve into genuine negotiation tools, though the current revision mostly strengthens their consultation capacity. The new traineeship directive must emphasise equal treatment and adequate financial compensation.

Tax justice was another hot topic. Tackling tax evasion isn’t just about economics – it’s a moral imperative. As multinational corporations exploit loopholes, ordinary citizens bear the heavier tax burden. Ensuring well-resourced national tax administrations is crucial for fairness.

Health sector understaffing also featured prominently in the discussions. Investing in equipment, facilities, and most importantly, personnel, as well as improving working conditions, is critical to the sector’s future.

In defense, conversations highlighted the shared commitment to building a robust EU defense infrastructure with broad stakeholder involvement. CESI’s European Defence Round Table is proving to be a valuable platform for advancing these goals.

We also worked to elevate crisis management and civil protection on the EU agenda, where the Union’s contribution is particularly evident and tangible.

At a recent civil society and trade union hearing with the Renew group in the European Parliament, we outlined our key demands, hoping they will shape policies in the coming years.

Just days after CESI@noon addressed teacher shortages and the misuse of temporary contracts in schools, the European Commission took Italy to court over these very issues. Marcello Pacifico, President of the CESI Europe Academy and ANIEF, played a leading role in these developments.

With the selection of future EU leaders on the horizon, there are high hopes that those chosen will be both qualified and attuned to the needs of Europe’s citizens and workers. These appointments will be crucial in shaping the Union’s future trajectory.

As these crucial discussions unfold, it’s clear that workers themselves must be prepared for the transformations ahead. The rapid evolution of technology, coupled with new regulations and economic shifts, will redefine the workplace of the future. Ensuring that employees are equipped with the right skills and safeguards to navigate this new landscape is essential. Ultimately, the success of these policies hinges not just on their adoption, but on empowering the workforce to embrace the future with confidence.

Building on the insights and discussions from CESI’s ‘Summer Days 2024‘ on AI, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger and Sara Rinaudo, Chairwoman of CESI’s working group on ‘The Future of Work’, published a joint article on the ‘EUobserver’, delving into the role of artificial intelligence in the workplace.

The lessons from the event provided a strong foundation for this exploration, highlighting the critical conversations surrounding AI and its integration into the modern workforce.

AI at work: handle it with humility, yet confidence

In the complex landscape of algorithms, we are still seeking answers to the very basic question: how can we ensure that the integration of AI into our workplaces benefits not only employers and businesses’ efficiency and profitability but also workers’ needs and rights?

Diverging interests, priorities and expectations, along with the inherent complexity of AI systems will make it challenging.

For many, AI appears as the number one threat to employment. As companies swiftly adapt to new technologies, they fear that job displacement, job insecurity and precarious working conditions could become the new standard — even for the high-skilled workforce.

Workers’ rights, and especially their autonomy, could be dramatically restricted by enforcing rigid decision-making, constant performance monitoring, and limiting creativity and personal judgement.

And all this in an era when the world of work strives to overcome the consequences of repeated global crises.

Yet, the opportunities presented by AI are immense, for the industries, but also for workers themselves.

Artificial Intelligence is not only a tool to boost productivity, it is at the same time (or, more precisely, it can become) the catalyst for safer and healthier workplaces, improved work-life balance, and (why not?) a mechanism that will strengthen collective bargaining and support workers’ collective action by improving communication, coordination and strategic planning.

Just as railways initially faced scepticism and opposition, modern technologies naturally provoke understandable fears. AI has the potential to become a ‘monster’, but it can also serve as a crucial force driving us towards a more competitive and sustainable future.

…

Read the full article here!

As the European Parliament gears up for the hearings of the designated Commissioners, CESI had the opportunity to engage with key Members of the European Parliament to discuss the pressing priorities for the coming legislative period.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger met with MEPs Özlem Demirel, Gabriele Bischoff, Vytenis Andriukaitis, Michael Gahler, Leila Chaibi, Katrin Langensiepen, Alex Agius Saliba, Grégory Allione, and Pasquale Tridico to explore shared objectives for 2024-2029.

These discussions spanned a wide range of essential topics, including strengthening social rights, ensuring fair taxation, enhancing civil protection, supporting competitiveness, and promoting robust public services for all Europeans.

With critical challenges ahead, CESI is confident that our collaboration with the European Parliament will foster meaningful progress in the EU.

The coming years will be decisive for achieving a balance between economic growth and social welfare, and it is highly important to ensure that the European Union remains a beacon of equality, fairness, and sustainability for all its citizens.

CESI looks forward to continuing this important dialogue and contributing to a stronger Europe for workers, public services, and society as a whole.

Today, just one week after the CESI@noon event on teachers’ shortages and the abusive use of temporary work contracts in schools, the European Commission has decided to bring Italy to the EU Court in that matter.

Since 2014 the European Commission has launched several infringement procedures against Italy calling on the Italian authorities to take action against the discriminative and abusive use of fixed-term contracts with teachers.

The European Commission finds that Italy’s laws regarding the pay of fixed-term teachers in public schools are discriminatory because they do not allow for salary progressions based on the crediting of employment periods, unlike the system for permanent teachers.

Additionally, according to the Commission, Italy has not effectively banned the abusive use of successive fixed-term contracts for administrative, technical, and auxiliary staff in state schools. The case has therefore been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

This decision also opens further possibilities to outlaw these practices and ask for compensations in case of abuses and discrimination – in other parts of the Italian public sector, in other sectors, and not least in other countries.

ANIEF, a member of CESI, which represents the Italian teachers, has been fighting for more than 10 years to address injustices and has won numerous legal cases in Italy and Luxembourg.

Marcello Pacifico, President of the CESI Europe Academy and ANIEF, has been one of the main drivers in the fight against poor working conditions in Italy’s education sector. He said: ‘In the last 8 months alone, we have achieved compensation payments of €9.6 million to discriminated teachers for these unlawful practices. We will not stop until all teachers receive the fair treatment they deserve. It is unlawful to act as if it is not deserved when doing a good deed by addressing these wrongs.’

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger welcomed the European Commission decision and said: “Teachers are the cornerstone of our educational systems, yet too often they are not treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. This new case court against Italy is a further step to ban discriminatory practices, poor working conditions and precariousness of our educators, the backbones of our future.”

The resolution was established and adopted against the background of evolving discussions about a potential need of EU regulation on AI at work.

It stresses:

• the importance of establishing robust regulations and transparent practices to ensure that AI benefits all workers while minimising risks such as job displacements and discrimination;
• the need for a comprehensive approach that includes continuous workers’ representation in the design and deployment of AI systems, which comprises sector-specific AI agreements tailored to the unique needs of different industries, ensuring fairness, accountability, and the protection of workers’ privacy;
• the necessity for widespread reskilling and upskilling initiatives to prepare workers for new roles created by AI, emphasising the importance of lifelong learning and continuous career development;
• the importance of strong regulatory frameworks to safeguard workers’ rights in an AI-driven workplace, including through a dedicated EU AI at Work Act. This measure should aim to ensure ethical AI deployment, prevent bias and discrimination, and establish clear accountability mechanisms for any harm caused by AI systems.
• the added value of dialogue and negotiation with governments, employers, and trade unions to shape a sustainable and equitable future of work in the AI era.

“Recognising the transformative impact of AI on workplaces across Europe, we underscore the importance of ensuring
that AI technologies are implemented in a manner that promotes fairness, transparency, and the protection of workers’ rights”, said CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger.

Sara Rinaudo from CESI’s Italian member union Confsal and Chair of CESI’s Working Group on the Future of Work, added: “We reaffirm our commitment to advocating for a fair and equitable AI-driven workplace. By promoting transparent practices, robust regulations, and strong worker representation, we ensure that AI benefits all workers and supports a sustainable future of work.”

The full resolution is available here.

The conference, which was co-organised by CESI and Eurofedop, hosted by the Albanian S.P.P.SH. Postal Union and supported by the Kosovo Post Trade Union, saw at attendance of almost 100 participants from affiliated telecoms and postal services trade unions from across Europe.

The keynote address was delivered by Ardit Demiri, Director General of the Albanian Post.

The symposium was moderated by Manfred Wiedner, President of CESI’s internal Expert Commission on Post and Telecoms, and Ylli Ballta, President of the S.P.P.SH.T.

Subsequent speakers included representatives and experts from the Swiss ‘Transfair’ union, the Luxembourgish Syndicat des P&T, the Italian Confsal-Comunicazioni, the Dutch CNV union, the Albanian S.P.P.SH. Postal Union, the Kosovo Post Trade Union, and the Austrian FCG-GFP.

Video messages were sent by UNI Europa and PostEurop, CESI’s partners in the European sectoral social dialogue on ‘Postal Services’.

The symposium served to establish and discuss key common challenges for telecoms and postal workers across Europe – ranging from worker-friendly green transitions and digitalisation to staff retention and attraction issues, increasing work intensities and working conditions that see must urgent improvements.

At the start of this school year, CESI gathered its members and experts to discuss challenges teachers face across the EU, as part of CESI’s EU co-funded ACTIVER project.

Such challenges include above all low wages, abusive uses of repetitive fixed term work contracts and heavy workloads.

What challenges do teachers face in their work environment?

According to the 2023 European Education and Training Monitor report, teacher shortages are widespread in most EU countries. This shortage not only hampers the quality of education but also impedes the transition to new skills and evolving work patterns, particularly in STEM subjects. Addressing teacher shortages requires a broader, EU-wide approach to labour market policies, with Member States needing to invest more in the teaching profession for future generations.

Teacher shortages in Europe have resulted in larger class sizes, increased workloads for staff, and limited access to specialised subjects like STEM, languages and vocational training.

Marcello Pacifico, President of CESI’s Italian teachers’ union ANIEF and the President of CESI’s Europe Academy, highlighted the precarious working conditions faced by Italian school workers, despite national and EU regulations on non-discrimination and the proper use of fixed term contracts. He underscored the negative implications of low salaries, lacking career opportunities, and insufficient benefits such as paid leave for teachers on fixed term contracts. He emphasised the violation of European rules regarding non-discrimination between fixed term and permanent workers, calling for improved working conditions and better pay to restore the profession’s appeal. He also noted ANIEF’s ongoing efforts to address these issues with European and national institutions through legal action and collective complaints to the Council of Europe.

Stefan Düll, Vice-President of CESI’s German teachers’ union DPhV and President of the German teachers’ association ‘Deutscher Lehrerverband’, expressed concerns about Germany’s teacher shortage, citing statistics that predict an influx of one million additional students, resulting in an acute shortage of about 50,000 teachers. If the 60% working time option is applied, the shortage increases to 80,000, she stressed. Düll questioned whether current solutions could resolve this, especially considering the precarious employment conditions for substitute teachers, who are often left without pay during the summer. Although lifetime contracts are now available, many highly qualified teachers have moved on to other professions, he noted. Mr. Düll suggested as a temporary solution that substitute teachers should at least be paid for the full year if they cover the entire teaching period of an academic year from September to July.

Dragoș Adăscăliței, Research Officer at Eurofound, presented data on the ageing demographic within the teaching profession, noting that one in three primary school teachers is over 50, which could lead to further shortages if retirements are not balanced by new recruits. He also highlighted gender disparities in teaching, with women dominating the profession but being underrepresented in managerial roles and STEM subjects. According to Eurofound research, he said, low wages across all Member States make teaching an unattractive career choice despite the high qualification requirements.

Potential solutions

It appeared that potential solutions include improved working conditions, the provision of full time work contracts and the set up of teacher platforms and resources to retain staff. Targeted financial incentives and salary increases are also recommended to attract and retain teachers, it was said.

Kristof De Witte, Professor of Education Economics at KU Leuven and Maastricht University, shared policy recommendations from recent research to tackle teacher shortages at three levels, the individual (attracting and retaining talent), school (creating a supportive environment) and system (addressing issues like temporary contracts and gender inequality) level. He emphasised the need for evidence-based approaches to evaluate interventions in education, proposing financial incentives, reduced workloads, computer-assisted learning and enhanced teacher capacity through mentoring programmes, professional development, and alternative career pathways.

Matthäus Fandrejewski, CESI Youth Representative and President of dbb Jugend, echoed findings from the 2024 Draghi report, stressing that for the EU to remain competitive and to effectively navigate challenges posed by ageing populations, the workforce must be equipped with skills in emerging fields like AI and advanced manufacturing. He called for a greater respect and recognition for the teaching profession to meet these needs.

One idea that resonated strongly with the audience was the need to better promote greater teacher mobility within the EU, and that a better recognition of qualifications across Member States remains necessary.

Elena Donazzan, Member of the European Parliament, emphasised the urgent need for more teachers, particularly in light of current skills shortages.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger concluded: “The teaching profession must be given the recognition it deserves, as teachers are the foundation of our educational systems and the ones who shape the minds of future generations.” He reaffirmed CESI’s commitment to improving teachers’ working conditions, as outlined in CESI’s recent Manifesto on the Teaching Profession.”

Press release (Brussels 20 September 2024)

First multisectoral guidelines to prevent violence at work reached an agreement

Third-Party Violence and Harassment at work (TPVH), be it of a psychological, sexual or physical nature, is on the increase and must be halted. This is why the EU social partners in five sectors, Education, Local and Regional Government, Central Administration, Hospitality (hotels, bars and restaurants) and Health and hospitals, have negotiated a revision of the 2010 Multi-Sectoral Guidelines to Tackle Third-Party Violence and Harassment Related to Work.

The negotiations in the framework of the European Social Dialogue took place between March and September with the objective of revising these Guidelines adopted in 2010. The negotiations followed a two-year project that put together a detailed piece of research and some 40 good practices and policies on fighting back TPVH at work. These are the only EU multisectoral guidelines on the subject.

The key revisions of the guidelines are:

• TPVH should never be normalized and deemed part of any job.
• Every workplace must have a TPVH policy agreed with the trade unions embedded in occupational health and safety, gender equality anti-discrimination policy, as well as trade union rights.
• Sufficient staffing levels and manageable workload ought to contribute to a good TPVH prevention policy.
• Gender-based violence is an integral part of violence and harassment, as provided in ILO Convention 190.
• Social partners, employers and trade unions, have a role to play in tackling the impact of domestic violence at work.
• Digitalisation, if not tailored to both workers and service users, can increase risks of TPVH.
• Tackling the persistent underreporting of TPVH by making sure that workers know whom to turn to and what to do in case of TPVH and be not fearful of reprisals.

Another improvement concerns the implementation of the Guidelines. The social partners involved have agreed to actively encourage their members to integrate the Guidelines in national collective agreements to enhance the chances of an effective use.
Although there is a small reference to domestic violence in relation to telework, the trade unions would have liked more detailed and up to date guidance, to reflect advances made on the subject in Italy, Spain, Ireland or France (see https://www.thirdpartyviolence.com/). Overall, it remains a step forward, in conjunction with the ILO C190 against gender-based and domestic violence.

The compromise wording will be subject to another two weeks of scrutiny by national members of the organizations involved in the negotiations. The deadline for this is 26 September, and the trade unions are recommending a final endorsement.

Should a compromise on domestic violence be agreed, the five sectoral social dialogue committees will be invited to adopt the Guidelines by the end of the year.

Kitti Almer, Health Attaché for the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, outlined the priorities and potential impacts of the European Health Union, with a focus on skills, staffing, and mobility in the health care sector.

Tina Weber from Eurofound shared the results of Eurofound’s 2019-2021 report on staff shortages and 2023 research on lessons learnt from the permacrisis, and, most importantly, measures to address shortages. It was noted that the need for health care professionals will further rise due to the growing number of elderly people (80+), which is expected to increase by two and a half times between 2021 and 2100. Moreover, as illnesses become more complex and digitalization advances, continuous training and upskilling wouldbe crucial. Finally, health issues wuoldemerge from extreme climate events, vector-borne diseases and greater risks of antimicrobial resistance.

Emanuela del Salvio from Mental Health Europe and Katerina Žiga from the Public Health Promotion and Prevention Division of the city of Riga shared their findings on how to address mental burnout among healthcare workers. Despite some positive developments, the reintegration of health care professionals into the labour market after suffering from burnout remains difficult.

Lyudmil Ninov from the European Health Management Association presented the ‘BeWell’ Project and its new ‘EU Pact for Skills’. Their current strategy comprises a public consultation to provide insights on the digital and green upskilling and reskilling needs of the workforce, he said.

Rosella Icardi from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre outlined preliminary results of a study on demographic shifts within the health care workforce. The study reveals levels of density of doctors and nurses in each Member State and projects the future extent of understaffing driven by the rapidly aging population.

Against these findings, Paloma Repila, President of the Expert Commission, presented the motions on sufficient staffing levels for healthcare workforce, mental health care and an EU minimum patient-nurse ratio, which are to be submitted to CESI’s upcoming Congress in December. They are planned to represent the Expert Commission’s priorities during the coming years.

“The sustainability of health care services is challenged by demographic change, shortcomings in cross-border skills recognition, and widespread understaffing”, Klaus Heeger, Secretary-General of CESI, concluded. “To be prepared for aging populations and future health crises, Europe and the Member States must invest in the health care workforce; they must preserve the lifeblood of our health and care sectors; to protect the health, life and wellbeing of citizens, and the competitiveness of our societies.”

Pending approval by the European Parliament, employment and social affairs would be handled by Roxana Mînzatu as one of six Executive Vice-Presidents of the European Commission. She would also be in charge of skills and education, which are policy fields with important employment-related intersections. A substantial and comprehensive portfolio combining education and employment handled by a Commissioner at a prominent position could, hopefully, be a strong political sign that during the next years the social will feature on equal ranks with corporate industrial policy, which would be likewise handled by a dedicated Vice-President. For us as unions, it is of central importance to ensure a balance between economic competitiveness and social rights. While fostering competitiveness is important for Europe’s long-term growth, it should not come at the expense of fair wages, job security, or social safeguards.

It remains however to be seen how cooperation would likely evolve with Spanish Commissioner-designate Teresa Ribera, who would, amongst other fields, be in charge of fair transitions. We also regret that there will be no Commissioner designated for gender equality and women’s rights in particular, but that it will be annexed – seemingly in a rather random matter – to the Belgian designated Commissioner Hadja Lahbib’s portfolio of ‘Preparedness and crisis management’.

In relation to CESI’s priorities and expectations in the field of employment and social affairs, we appreciate Ms von der Leyen’s sustained commitment to the European Pillar of Social Rights, as laid out in her political guidelines for the new term. We also appreciate planned initiatives on a right to disconnect and AI at work. We hope that the planned Quality Jobs Roadmap will be concrete and substantial and stand ready for social partner consultations on this.

Our EU elections manifesto is very clear, and our priorities will feature high again in our main motion for our upcoming CESI Congress in December. We expect the new European Commission to deliver on transparent and inclusive social dialogue and on decent work and fair green-digital transitions for all. We also expect further support for public services and their staff, which are at the forefront as new crises keep emerge. We need to invest in them in order to make them resilient and performing. We will continue to flag this.

Following the publication of Mario Draghi’s report on the future of European competitiveness, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said:

“Mario Draghi’s recent report on European competitiveness offers timely, necessary and ambitious roadmap for securing the EU’s economic future in an increasingly complex and competitive global environment. As CESI, we appreciate several key elements of the report, particularly its strong focus on the need for substantial investments and a coherent industrial policy to bolster Europe’s global standing.”

“However, we regret that the report leaves several critical social dimensions underexplored. This concerns particularly a reconciliation between efforts to step up competitiveness and a decent protection of employment, working conditions and worker rights, as well as the role of public services as a central actor to support socioeconomic growth and resilience.”

Yes to investments in industrial policy and competitiveness

In matters specifically related to investment and industrial policy, Klaus Heeger said: “The Draghi report makes a compelling case for dramatically increasing investment within the EU, particularly in the green and digital sectors. The proposed annual investment increase of up to €800 billion is essential to driving the EU’s green and digital transitions. This level of investment is crucial for ensuring that Europe remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy. The emphasis on strengthening Europe’s industrial base, particularly in strategic sectors such as renewable energy and digital infrastructure, is a positive step toward securing long-term economic resilience.”

He added “The report’s focus on industrial policy is equally commendable. By recognising the need for a strong and coherent industrial strategy, the report highlights the importance of supporting European industries to ensure they can compete globally. The emphasis on cohesion policies to address regional disparities within the EU is another positive aspect, as it acknowledges that for Europe to thrive, growth must be inclusive and benefit all regions, particularly those that have historically lagged behind.”

Workers’ rights must be central

Concerning employment and workers’ rights, Klaus Heeger noted: “It is deeply concerning that the human factor—the rights, conditions, and wellbeing of workers—has not been given the attention it deserves. Economic competitiveness should not be pursued at the expense of workers’ rights or social equity. The report does not sufficiently address the potential social consequences of the proposed economic transformations, particularly in terms of job security, wage levels, and working conditions.”

He added: “We believe that any strategy aimed at boosting Europe’s competitiveness must be rooted in a commitment to protecting and enhancing workers’ rights. This includes ensuring that all workers have access to fair wages, secure employment, safe working conditions and not least re- and upskilling. Wage repression as a tool to promote competitiveness would not only harm workers but also undermine social cohesion and long-term economic stability. Instead, we advocate for a model of competitiveness that is built on innovation, skills development, and fair labour practices. As the report itself states, ‘competitiveness today is less about relative labour costs and more about knowledge and skills embodied in the labour force’.”

The role of public services must be emphasised

In relation to public services as a central actor to support socioeconomic growth and resilience, Klaus Heeger stressed: “Unfortunately, the report falls short of acknowledging that public services are the backbone of any strong economy and are essential for maintaining social cohesion and supporting workers, especially during times of economic transition. Strong public services, including healthcare, education, and social protection, are crucial for ensuring that all citizens can participate fully in the economy and contribute to its growth.”

He added: “Public services also play a vital role in supporting the workforce, particularly in sectors undergoing significant change due to digitalisation or the green transition. The absence of a robust focus on public services in the report suggests a narrow understanding of competitiveness that fails to account for the broader social infrastructure that underpins a healthy and dynamic economy.”

Teacher Shortages: Education and active labour market policies responses

A CESI@noon brought to you by CESI Youth

Tuesday, September 24 2024, 12:00-14:00 o’clock

in hybrid format (online & in Brussels)

in English and French languages

light lunch on site included

Registration

Large cohorts of retiring teachers and an insufficient recruitment of newcomers have led to substantial teacher shortages. Estimates for Europe amount to more than a million.

Precarious working conditions – such as the abusive use of fixed-term contracts for many teachers – are a root cause of these shortages, as they render the profession unattractive in many Member States.

This is especially true for young high school graduates that look to choose and jumpstart their tertiary education and professional career. The precarious working conditions that many teachers face also reflect a lack of recognition and a general low appreciation of the role of teachers, which has also been severely criticised in CESI’s teachers’ Manifesto.

Understaffing trends are not only detrimental to the education sector and its pupils and students themselves, but to the competitiveness, economic development and well-being of the society as a whole too. Resilient societies and economies require education systems with sufficient teachers to educate tomorrow’s responsible citizens and skilled workforces.

In times of profound social, economic, environmental and geopolitical transformations – which include the green-digital twin transition and an ever-increasing global innovation competition across industrial sectors –, teacher shortages must urgently be addressed to secure a future for Europe’s high quality education systems. This starts with active labour market policies that put quality employment conditions and a valorisation of the teaching profession at their core.

On September 24^th, CESI invites you to discuss the EU’s role in addressing teacher’s shortages as a result of a poor valorsation of the profession, insufficient working conditions in general and abusive uses of fixed-term contracts in particular.

It will address questions such as:

• What measures can the EU implement to address the widespread use of fixed-term contracts for teachers, and how can these measures ensure long-term job security and career stability?
• How can European countries make the teaching profession more attractive to new entrants considering the current challenges such as a lack of appreciation and fair working conditions?
• Can the integration of digitalisation and climate policies within the education system contribute to reducing teacher shortages and improve the overall quality of education and education outcomes in Europe?

Provisional agenda:

12:00 Welcome and light lunch

12:30 Welcome address & introduction

Klaus Heeger, Secretary General of CESI

12:40 Evidence-based findings & possible policy recommendations to address teacher shortages

Kristof Witte, Professor for education economics at KU Leuven and Maastricht University (tbc)

12:50 The situation of Italian precarious school workers

Marcello Pacifico, President of the Italian teachers’ trade union ‘ANIEF’

13:00 Precarious employment of substitute teachers in Germany

Stefan Düll, Vice-President or the German teachers’ trade union ‘DPhV’ and President of the German teachers’ association ‘Deutscher Lehrerverband’

13:10 A youth perspective to teacher shortages, skills and labour market opportunities

Matthäus Fandrejewski, CESI Youth Representative and President of the youth section of the German civil service federation ‘dbb Jugend’

13:20 Teacher labour shortages and lessons for future policy

Dragoș Adăscăliței, Research Officer in the Employment Unit of Eurofound

13:30 A political approach to addressing teacher shortages and future outlooks

Elena Donazzan, Member of the European Parliament

13:40 Discussion with the audience – approaches and initiatives for the future

***

The European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI) is a confederation of more than 40 national and European trade union organisations from over 20 European countries, with a total of more than 6 million individual members. In the education sector, CESI represents several hundred thousand teaching professionals across Europe, covering all main sub-sectors of the education system. CESI participates in the European sectoral social dialogue ‘Education’ as complementary social partner.

Dear colleagues, friends and partners,

The use of artificial intelligence in the workplace brings both promise and peril. As AI technologies are quickly embraced, we must consider how to harness their benefits while safeguarding workers’ rights and well-being.

AI reasonably provokes fear. Rapid technological adoption has raised concerns about job displacement, increased job insecurity, and deteriorating working conditions, even for highly skilled professionals.

But it can also pave the way for a more competitive and sustainable future of our economies, our well-being and our work. It offers significant potential beyond mere productivity gains, it can create safer, healthier workplaces, improve work-life balance, and it can enhance collective bargaining.

To leverage AI’s benefits while minimising its risks, trade unions must adopt forward-thinking strategies. And CESI is committed to leading efforts that ensure AI becomes a force for progress. Our vision is for a digital future that is human-centric and ethical, where workers are protected and valued. For this, we need to identify AI risks, work towards AI transparency, protect workers’ privacy, and combat biases.

However, involving workers in the development and implementation of AI is the most critical component, and, needless to say, the most difficult to achieve. Their insights and experiences are invaluable in shaping fair and effective policies.

Trade unions must evolve to meet these challenges head-on. They should be at the forefront of advocating for fair, transparent, and ethical AI practices; something which requires a willingness to rethink and modernise traditional approaches that may no longer be effective in the AI era.

As we move forward, the collaboration between governments, trade unions and businesses will be crucial in shaping an AI-driven future that is both innovative and equitable. Only if we embrace AI with foresight and responsibility, we can create thriving and inclusive work environments for all.

In its consultation response, CESI stressed the importance of the role and the initiatives dedicated to teachers and education professionals within the European Education Area (EEA) and called to put the needs and roles of educators even more in the centre of the EEA’s future objectives and initiatives.

CESI in particular noted that the EEA should increasingly focus to:

1. Empower teachers by ensuring that teachers have a say in decision-making processes that affect their work, promoting a bottom-up approach to educational reforms.
2. Enhance the social recognition of teachers by promoting the key role of teachers in society and fostering better working conditions by addressing fundamental issues in the areas of (often inadequate) wages and (usually excessive) workload.
3. Support autonomy and professional development with training by providing high-quality initial and continuous training to all education professionals, including in green and sustainable education as well as in digital technologies. These training programmes should be easily accessible and relevant to the needs of educators.
4. Establish a reference framework for the digital literacy of teachers by ensuring consistency across the EU, making sure that that teachers receive ongoing training in digital skills to keep pace with technological advancements and integrate them effectively into their teaching.
5. Foster professional stability by moving towards stable and secure employment conditions for teachers to retain the workforce, and by thus avoiding precarious working arrangements.
6. Ensure the recognition of professional experience by encouraging reward systems that acknowledge the contributions and achievements of educators at national level, but also promote the recognition of professional experience across Member States to facilitate mobility and career development for education professionals.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “The building of the European Education Area should consider that employment and working conditions for teaching must improve in many Member States in order to attract, recruit and retain young workers into this occupational field and to counter widespread teacher shortages. This is especially true for the areas of VET, lifelong learning and the education of adults.”

He added: “Also, teaching is too often still a profession that does not enjoy a high social standing in the eyes of a wide range of population. Its low prestige frustrates the recruiting and retaining of teachers in both rich and poorer countries. Teaching is a highly valuable profession and should guarantee teachers decent salaries and quality working conditions on all levels of the educational system. Their work and contribution to society must be adequately valued and recognised. This should be more reflected in the framework of the European Education Area.”

CESI’s full consultation contribution can be accessed here.

On June 26, 2024, the premises of CESI in Brussels buzzed with enthusiasm and a sense of accomplishment as the final event of the WEP (Workers’ Exchange Program) project unfolded.

The event marked the culmination of a pioneering initiative aimed at training and promoting young talents for future-proof trade unions and social dialogue.

In a statement to the European Commission, CESI noted that, overall, a right to disconnect and teleworking can help balance work and caregiving responsibilities and lead to greater inclusion in the labour markets – when properly designed and promoted.

In particular, CESI stressed that:

• EU action is needed on both telework and the right to disconnect in order to set boundaries and minimum standards across the EU for all Member States. EU action should enable/facilitate collective bargaining for the construction and implementation of ad-hoc policies which take into consideration different work organisations within sectors and companies/administrations as employers. It should respect the principle of social partner autonomy.
• Special attention should be paid to the scope of the right to disconnect. In principle a right to disconnect should be the target solution for workers. Workers should generally have the ability to log off after working hours, but also have the freedom to remain available if they wish so in order to be able to better manage domestic responsibilities. However, depending on the case, an imposed disconnection can be preferable compared to a more self-determined right to disconnect. A right to disconnect does leave more flexibility and self-management to workers, but it also requires strong self-control competences: Through snowball effects it can also entail an intrinsic pressure to be available: As soon as a worker makes himself/herself visibly available during non-office hours, other colleagues may feel pressured to follow suit, despite having a right to disconnect. This is especially true for workers that aspire a wage rise or promotion or fear adverse behaviour by the management if they switch off. In such cases, an imposed disconnection of all workers can be more effective that an increased flexibility that a (mere) right to disconnect can mean to workers. An EU measure should only set rough guidelines for this and enable/facilitate the possibility of a right to be disconnected but leave decisions to social partners at sectoral and company level.
• A right to disconnect should not be an absolute right. There may be special circumstances that make it necessary to be on-call anyway. This is true most notably for management personnel, where a relatively high degree of reachability may naturally be necessary.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “The Covid pandemic has seen a wide spread of home office and telework. Ongoing discussions on how to render telework fair and beneficial for both workers and employers show that regulation of the matter is not yet satisfactory, but in high need. This is especially true for debates around a new right to disconnect – or even furthergoing measures for forced disconnection during times beyond office office. As CESI, we think telework should be fair, and workers should have a right to disconnect. This is vital for their reconciliation with domestic resonsibilities, it is important for their mental health in the long term, and thus it is important for their employability over time too. It is also a matter of fairness. Previously, employers rarely had the means to contact personnel and make it work on-site after office hours. So why should this change in the era of telework?”

He added: “The important aspect is that workers should have an effective right to disconnect. Details will need to be further discussed – in particular which aspects of fair telework and a right to disconnect should be regulated at the EU level and which issues should be left to the Member States and social partners and sectoral and company level. We want common minimum standards in the EU that can ensure quality telework and an effective right to disconnect for workers, but we need to be careful to not overregulate to the detriment of lower regulatory levels and potentially a breach of social partner autonomy. This must of course be avoided. “

CESI’s full consultation statement can be accessed here.

CESI’s eQualPRO project is dedicated to advancing gender equality in the workplace by utilising the European Union’s significant contributions over the years.

The EU has played a crucial role in promoting gender equality through hard legislation, soft law, case-law, and funding initiatives. The work of the EU reflects a long-standing commitment to ensuring equal pay for equal work and highlight its continuous efforts to foster workplace gender equality.

Despite these substantial efforts, gender-based discrimination remains a significant issue across all EU member states. Women continue to face unequal pay, biased hiring and promotion practices, limited access to training, maternity discrimination, and harassment. These challenges hinder female workers from reaching their full potential and demonstrate the persistent nature of gender inequality in the labour market.

The eQualPRO project is designed to address these ongoing challenges by focusing on three main objectives.

First, it aims to provide trade unions and workers with a comprehensive overview of the EU’s role in promoting gender equality at work. This historical perspective helps raise awareness about the benefits of EU initiatives and encourages trade unions to remain committed to advancing gender equality.

Second, the project focuses on current needs, particularly in the context of digital transformation and telework. By understanding the impacts of recent EU legislation and case law, CESI aims to support the effective implementation and enforcement of these measures at the national level.

Third, the eQualPRO project addresses the emerging risks associated with artificial intelligence and digital technologies. AI and machine learning have the potential to exacerbate gender biases if not properly managed, leading to unfair treatment of women in hiring, performance evaluation, pay, training, and career development. CESI aims to develop strategies to mitigate these risks and ensure that digital advancements drive greater gender equality rather than widening existing gaps.

By focusing on these areas, the eQualPRO project seeks to equip trade unions and workers with the knowledge and tools needed to promote gender equality in the evolving labour markets, ensuring that women can fully benefit from and contribute to modern workplaces.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “We recognise that Ursula von der Leyen managed to unite a broad front of MEPs from across large parts of the party spectrum in the European Parliament to support her. This is a remarkable achievement. As CESI, the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions, we congratulate her on her election. As independent unions, we hope that the incoming Commission will duly prioritise the needs of workers and employees as well as unions and social partners. In times of political and socio-economic transformations, nobody must be left behind – and least so workers and their families, the backbone of our economies and societies.”

He added: “The war in Ukraine, climate change policies and industrial competitiveness in the wake of digitalisation will likely be dominating issues of the new European Commission. We stress however that further, decisive measures are necessary to make green and digital transitions fair. Beyond this, we must continue to fight for decent work and against precarious work. Indeed, we need an economy that works for the people – and not the other way round. We also stress that we need adequate investments in public services to benefit the most vulnerable members of societies and to be ready for them to face new crises that may emerge at any time.”

Klaus Heeger concluded: “As independent unions, we hope that Ursula von der Leyen will also make it priority to advance effective trade union pluralism to enable inclusive social dialogue at the EU level on a level-playing field for and with all representative trade union organisations.”

Further details about demands of CESI for the new term are mapped in CESI’s EU 2024 elections manifesto, which can be accessed here.

Following the re-election of Roberta Metsola as President of the European Parliament with 562 out of 699 cast votes today in Strasbourg, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger declared:

“The re-election of Roberta Metsola stands for institutional continuity in the European Parliament. It is an opportunity to consolidate and perhaps strengthen its role vis-à-vis the European Commission and the Council. During the last decades, the European Parliament has come a long way as supervisor of the European Commission and a more equal co-legislator together with the Council. However, past experience has also shown that the role and visibility of the European Parliament depends also to a large extent on the internal support, charisma and political weight of its President. Roberta Metsola is now equipped with a strong mandate to further build her political weight for the European Parliament. For the EU’s institutional architecture, a strenghtened role of its publicly elected assembly can only be positive.”

He added: “We count on Roberta Metsola to fully endorse and advocate the adopted positions of the European Parliament regardless of her own eventual political convictions. As President, she must act neutrally and lobby for the European Parliament’s priorities including in the areas of civil liberties, social rights and fair green-digital transitions.”

In the frame of its ‘eQualPRO’ project, CESI successfully hosted its ‘Summer Days 2024’ last week, an event dedicated to exploring the intersection of new technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and gender equality in the workplace.

Held in partnership with the SEISMEC Project and Reshaping Work, this two-day event was a vibrant mix of discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities.

The first day kicked off with a series of insightful statements and debates under the theme “From inclusion to equality.” Keynote speakers included, among others, Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Karen Vandekerckhove, Head of Unit ‘Gender Equality’ at the European Commission, and Klaus Heeger, Secretary General of CESI. The discussions highlighted the EU’s commitment to advancing gender equality and the importance of international standards in promoting fair workplace practices.

On the second day, the focus shifted to the specific risks and opportunities that AI presents for women in the workforce. The morning session included thought-provoking presentations by experts like Nathalie Vandystadt, Policy Officer for Communication at the European Commission’s AI Office, and Jacob Dencik from the IBM Institute for Business Value. Their talks underscored the critical role of ethical AI and the need for inclusive AI policies.

The event closed with remarks from Jowita Michalska, Digital European Union Ambassador, and Kirsten Lühmann, Chairwoman of CESI’s Commission on Women’s Rights, reinforcing the commitment to fostering an inclusive digital future.

CESI Summer Days 2024 brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from the EU Institutions, trade unions, the industry, and the civil society.

The event highlighted the critical need for collaborative efforts to bridge gender gaps in the rapidly evolving landscape of work influenced by AI and digital technologies.

The discussions and workshops not only shed light on current challenges but also paved the way for actionable strategies to ensure a more equitable and inclusive future for all workers.

On July 1, 2024, Hungary took over the EU Council Presidency from Belgium. During the coming six months, Hungary will guide EU policy discussions and decisions.

As a tribute to former US President Donald Trump, Hungary’s presidency´s slogan is “Make Europe Great Again”. The Presidency is unfortunately marred by Prime Minister Orban’s and his Fidesz party’s authoritarian tendencies to undermine the independence of the judiciary and the media, as well as the freedom of NGOs and universities.

In terms of content, Hungary has set itself seven key priorities:

1. New European Competitiveness Deal: Enhancing productivity, supporting SMEs, and promoting green and digital transitions.

2. Defence Policy: Strengthening European defence capabilities.

3. Western Balkans Enlargement: Promoting EU enlargement in the Western Balkans.

4. Illegal Migration: Implementing cohesive measures to combat illegal migration.

5. Labour Market Activation: Tackling labour shortages by mobilizing internal reserves and increasing employment.

6. Work-Life Balance and Gender Equality: Promoting policies that support these issues alongside integrating different demographic groups into the labour market.

7. Social Integration and Poverty Reduction: Focusing on economic empowerment for persons with disabilities and advancing efforts to reduce poverty.

Dear members, partners and friends,

The European elections are over.

On the positive side, pro-European voices as well as the overall turnover remained strong, testifying widespread support for the idea of a unified Europe. The pro-European parties of the Christian Democrats, Social Democrats and the liberal Renew will continue to hold a comfortable majority for policy making during the next years – even more so if they will be joined by further MEPs from the rather moderate party spectrum, such as from the Greens.

However, the elections also revealed a certain rise in the representation of Eurosceptic parties; a development that raises important questions about the direction of Europe and the values we hold dear. This phenomenon cannot be dismissed lightly; it demands attention and reflection. We must strive for greater inclusivity and responsiveness to the concerns of European citizens. Where citizens are well off in socio-economic terms, they have little reason to fall for populist politics.

Moreover, with the power relations in the new European Parliament showing a strengthened position of the Christian Democrats and a weakened position of Social Democrats, Greens, and The Left, it is likely that we will see a certain shift away from green and social policies towards measures for increased industrial competitiveness.

Arguably, maintaining the EU’s economic prosperity is vital not least to secure jobs on the continent in the long-term. However, it will be central that during this time we must stand firm in our commitment to defend the rights of workers and independent trade unions, to ensure that economic policies are made with workers and in the context of adequate flanking social and employment policies.

The political landscape may be shifting, but our dedication remains. We must ensure that the voices of workers are heard and influence policy decisions. Building strong relationships, especially with newly elected Members of the European Parliament, will be key.

The challenges are significant, but challenges come with opportunities. We have the chance to further grow, to strengthen our influence, and to secure better conditions for all our members.

Your active involvement and commitment are vital. Whether through engaging in discussions, reaching out to local representatives, or participating in our initiatives, every action and initiative counts.

Our ‘Summer Days’ on June 27-28 in Brussels present an excellent opportunity to gather, strengthen our ties, and fortify our approach to pressing issues for Europe, such as AI and gender equality.

Together, we can face obstacles. We will continue to strive for a Europe where independent trade unions thrive, and where democracy and social justice are upheld.

Looking forward to seeing you soon again, I remain

With kindest regards,
Klaus Heeger
Secretary General of CESI

The rally, ‘Your Voice, Your Europe: The Time is Now’, aimed at boosting awareness and participation in the upcoming EU elections among the affiliates of CESI’s national trade union member organisations. The event featured a line-up of distinguished speakers and drew over 250 multipliers as participants from across CESI’s trade union network, which represents a combined membership of 6 million individuals.

Engaging discussions on key European issues

The event commenced with opening remarks by Petros Fassoulas, Secretary General of the European Movement International, who underscored the critical importance of the elections in shaping Europe’s future. Welcoming addresses were delivered by Romain Wolff, President of CESI, and Marcello Pacifico, President of the Europe Academy of CESI, both of whom highlighted the union’s commitment to strengthening the European project.

Christina Altides, from the European Parliament, provided insights on why citizens should participate in the upcoming elections, reflecting on the significant impact that the EU has also had in advancing workers’ rights and public sector benefits across the continent.

Spotlight on Member State perspectives

The event featured focused interventions by various leaders of trade union member organisations of CESI from different Member States, including Patrick Fey from the Dutch union CNV, Carmen Jaffke from the Luxembourgish union CGFP, and Alain Laratta from the French union Avenir Secours. They shared compelling narratives on how the EU has positively influenced their respective countries, particularly in times of crisis.

Debating party manifestos and trade union demands

A key segment of the event was dedicated to discussing the election manifestos of CESI and major European parties. Klaus Heeger, CESI’s Secretary General, presented the CESI’s own EU 2024 elections manifesto, emphasising demands for a pluralist and inclusive European social dialogue and the need for robust public services – given that many of CESI’s member organisations are national public sector unions. CESI Youth Representative Matthäus Fandrejewski complemented this with specific union demands from the youth perspective. This was followed by presentations from representatives of the Party of European Socialists (PES), the Alliance of Liberals & Democrats for Europe (ALDE), and the Green European Foundation, who shared their visions for Europe’s future.

The event also included an interactive Q&A session, where participants engaged directly with the speakers on various pressing issues, from social dialogue to the challenges of labour migration and the EU’s industrial strategy. The session provided a platform for attendees to voice their concerns and seek clarifications on the different party positions.

Additionally, young voices were prominently featured, with statements from participants of CESI’s own Exchange and Development Programme, who brought fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing Europe’s youth today.

The event concluded with remarks from Klaus Heeger, who reiterated CESI’s commitment to help foster a high voter turnout and ensure that the EU continues to deliver tangible benefits to its citizens. He called on all participants to remain engaged and proactive in shaping a vibrant and resilient European Union.

As CESI continues to champion the interests of workers and public service staff across Europe, the event marked a significant step in the mobilisation and empowering its vast network of affiliates ahead of a crucial electoral juncture. The discussions and insights from the event are expected to resonate across CESI’s membership, encouraging a robust turnout and informed voting in the EU elections.

The main objective of the event was to discuss with CESI members, representatives of the interested stakeholder community and EU level political decision makers about the advantages and disadvantages that a revision of the EU’s Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications could bring, and to debate on the directive’s current impact on labour mobility in the EU and a balanced availability of health care workers across EU Member States. With support from trade unions representatives, the European Commission and various umbrella organizations, experts evaluated how the 2005/36/EC directive could be enhanced to better address modern healthcare challenges, including understaffing, demographic shifts, gender disparities, the impacts of COVID-19, emerging roles in healthcare, and digital technologies.

More specifically, the meeting explored:

1. pros and cons of revising the directive – and potential benefits and drawbacks that could result as a consequence.
2. possibilities to consider an inclusion of more health care professions under automatic recognition.
3. possible benefits of the revision on improving workforce mobility and addressing labour shortages, while maintaining fair labour mobility for regions that face emigration.

Agata Walaszczyk-Terrasse, Team Leader at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, presented the scope and coverage of the currently applicable directive and outlined the perspective of a forthcoming implementation report of the directive in June 2025, including an analysis of pros and cons invovled in a potential revision of the directive with respect to other health care professions.

Dolores Martínez, General Secretary of CESI’s Spanish member union SAE, representing nursing technicians, argued in favour of a revisino of the directive in order to allow broader automatic recognitions of health professions, including those from vocational training, to enhance mobility and address regional workforce shortages.

Representatives from CESI’s Spanish member union SATSE, representing of nurses, and from the European Federation of Nurses (EFN) however stated their opposition to such a revision, emphasising the importance of maintaining current minimum training requirements to ensure high standards of care and patient safety.

Tina Weber from Eurofound delivered an assessment of predicted workforce shortages in health care in the EU by 2030, highlighting the need for increased mobility and improved working conditions to draw in more workers and ensure balanced health care labour migration. She suggested that recognising qualifications of refugees and migrants, attracting underrepresented groups, and providing quality training and career development opportunities could help mitigate shortages.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger welcomed the forthcoming 20-year anniversary of the directive and the positive impact is has generaelly had for European workforces. He highlighted the need for automatic recognitions to apply to more professions but agreed that ensuring minimum training requirements must be preserved for health care service quality reasons and more upward cohesion in the EU in terms of standards for similar level of training between Member States.

In conclusion, the discussion emphasised the need for a balanced approach to revising the directive, ensuring that expanding professional recognitions do not compromise the quality of training and patient care. This would involve a nuanced consideration of both current health care challenges and future workforce needs.

The event was part of CESI’s project ‘Active labour market policies in Europe: Successful designs and implementation through union participation’ (‘Activer‘), which is co-funded by the European Commission.

CESI welcomes the Council’s final endorsement of a text on a new directive on corporate sustainability due diligence – the so-called CSDD directive – today in Brussels.

The new rules will bring new obligatory rules for companies operating or selling in the EU to restrict environmental and human rights-related negative impacts along their supply, production and distribution chains, including in the area of labour rights. They will eventually, after a transposition phase, apply to EU companies and parent companies with more than 1000 employees and a turnover of more than €450 million per year in the EU, as of 2029. Non-respect of rules will be sanctioned with fines up to 5% of their worldwide turnover.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “New rules on corporate sustainability due diligence will help increase awareness and avoid labour and social rights abuses in the production and distribution chain of multinational companies which manufacture and or sell products on the EU market. The notion that companies should care about their employees is at the very core of constructive and trust-based worker-employer relations. We appreciate that the Council has green-lighted the new CSDD directive.”

He added: “We should remain cautious however to not put disproportionate burden on companies to further human rights across the world. This remains above all a political tasks for politicial leaders in the EU and the Member States, which need to be clear in the communicaiton and action towards authoritarian regimes that allow lax human and labour rights in their countries.”

Your Voice, Your Europe: The Time is Now

A Timely Debate on the Upcoming European Elections

Date: May 28, 2024

Time: 09.30 – 13.30 CET

Location: CESI premises, Brussels & online

Language: The event will be conducted in English, with interpretation available in additional languages based on registrations.

REGISTER HERE

Brussels, May 28, 2024 — The European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI) is proud to announce a crucial event, “Your Voice, Your Europe: The Time is Now,” focused on the significance of the upcoming European elections scheduled for June 6-9, 2024. This event will take place at the CESI premises in Brussels and will also be accessible online.

As the European elections approach, this timely debate will emphasise the importance of participation in the democratic process and highlight the impact of the European Union on citizens and workers across member states. The event aims to engage and inform voters about the critical role their votes play in shaping the future of Europe.

The programme features a series of insightful sessions:

• Part I: Why go vote? Europe ahead of the elections will underscore the reasons for participating in the elections and the importance of voter turnout.
• Part II: What EU added value? Spotlights from Member States will present perspectives from various member states, illustrating the EU’s benefits for citizens and workers.
• Part III: Demands of independent trade unions for the EU in 2024-2029 will introduce CESI’s EU 2024 elections manifesto and feature a discussion on the manifestos of key EU parties together with their representatives.

The event will conclude with statements from participants of CESI’s Exchange and Development Programme (WEP).

This WeEP24 event provides a unique opportunity for dialogue and reflection on the future direction of the EU. As Europe faces numerous challenges, from economic recovery to social justice, the upcoming elections present an opportunity for citizens to have their voices heard and contribute to a more united and resilient Europe.

Join us for this important discussion and make your voice heard in shaping the future of Europe.

#UseYourVote

With the public sector representing 21% of the workforce across the EU Memeber States and over EUR 670 billion in annual spending, Otto Aiglsperger, President of the CESI expert commission ‘Public Administrations’, noted on the occasion of the meeting: “The many crises of the past years – from COVID-19 to the costs-of-living explosion, from the Russian war of aggression to millions of Ukrainian refugees in the EU – have impressively underlined the importance of public administrations. Considering the upcoming EU elections in June this year, we need MEPs that understand the value of well-functioning and well-staffed public services. They are the best investment for peace and growth.”

He noted however that public administrations currently face challenges that they must urgently deal with, such as ageing workforces and thus lacking personnel, insufficient investments in equipment and facilities, and lacking resources to manage internal adverse impacts and fallouts of COVID-19 and the digital-green twin transitions at work. In this regard, with a view to increase the efficiency and performance of public administrations, European Commission representatives gave insights into the implementation of the EU’s new Interoperability Act to digitalise public services, into recent national reforms of public administrations, into the European Commission’s Quality Public Administration – A toolbox for Practitioners which serves as a compass to support, guide and encourage a modernisation of public administrations in support of prosperous, fair and resilient societies.

CESI’s Expert Commission pledged to support the European Commission in the extremely complex endeavour to further evaluate the quality of public administrations across the EU and to refine its policy pointers for performing public services in times of crises and green and digital transitions.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “Yesterday’s meeting highlighted yet again the need for well-equipped and well-staffed public administrations. The recruitment and retention of qualified workforce as well as the integration of digital tools and human-centered AI should be the main targets for the public sector of tomorrow. If we want public administrations to be able to tackle the difficult challenges which lay ahead, more investments will be needed.”

The meeting also served as input to CESI’s EU-funded SYNCRISIS project which looks into needs of public services and their personnel to respond to multiple crises.

The project’s goal is to provide social partners in the postal sector with a comprehensive insight into the transformation of professional profiles and skills in postal services considering the rise of e-commerce, changing customer requirements, and the imperatives of the green transition. As a result, social partners will be better equipped to identify skills requirements emerging over the next ten years for four occupational profiles, namely back-office operations; delivery of postal items; post offices network; call centers or customer relations. The project will provide insight into essential skills for adapting to changes in postal employment and will collect best practices in terms of training.

The European social partners in the postal sector are contracting external expertise to support us in our work towards achieving the project objectives. The external consultant would be expected to analyse and predict skills requirements in view of the challenges faced by the postal sector. They would need to also analyze the role of training in managing occupational health and safety risks stemming from, among others, the introduction of artificial intelligence in work processes, and identify successful training pathways for each occupational profile. The training catalogue they compile would enable social partners to shape and devise their training programs, particularly in view of digital skills.

Additionally, the consultants will be tasked with drafting the final report and the facilitation of the four seminars and final conference. Each of the four seminars will gather up to 40 representatives from postal operators and postal trade unions. They will discuss the evolution of skills over the next decade, expected occupational health and safety risks, and the extent to which competences and training paths can contribute to mitigating them. the seminars should enable the formulation of recommendations on training pathways and assembling a training pathways catalogue. The consultant will work closely with the project steering group.

Further details can be found in the tender specifications below. All interested applicants must send in their application by 7 June 2024 at the latest to UNI Europa Post & Logistics Director Dimitris Theodorakis, who coordinates the project on behalf of PostEurope, CESI and UNI Europa jointly.

The campaign consists of a series of visuals featuring CESI decision makers and mandate holders who explain why they will go vote during the elections, and why according to them voting is important for every worker and citizens in the EU. Until the day of the election, one visual will be shared across CESI’s social media channels every day, which include X and Linkedin.

CESI Secretary General said on the occasion of the launch of the campaign: “Ahead of EU elections, we have often said that voting is instrumental because the EU stands at a crossroads with multiple challenges and needs a strong pro-European backing and legitimation from the citizens. This time, I feel that this message highly relevant again. During the last years, the EU and is Member States have been in a state of perma- and polycrisis, they had to master the Covid pandemic, large-scale refugee integration, an inflation crisis, and now support to Ukraine in a war by Russia in the EU’s immediate neighbourhood. There, during the last years, overall, the EU has delivered. We do not know what further challenges and crises we may face during the next years, but one thing is almost for certain: We will need the EU, and we will need a strong EU. Most of our problems and issues cannot be solved by Member States themselves only on their own. In many cases we need the EU to facilitate, support, coordinate and manage – depending on what is at stake. This is why we call on all of our affiliates, on all workers, on all citizens Europe to inform themselves about electoral choices ahead of the elections and cast a vote that will enable the EU to deliver for them during the next five years.”

CESI’s social media campaign is accompanied by an electoral debate for its membership on May 28, which will also see a discussion with affiliates on CESI’s own election manifesto and the party programmes of other European parties.

Dear members, partners, and friends,

This month has been an important moment for social Europe, as the European Parliament has approved several important legislative acts, following lengthy informal (‘trilogue’) negotiations with the Council. As CESI we have deployed advocacy together with our members on all the following files:

Firstly, the EU Net Zero Industry Act, a commitment to support the EU´s capacities to produce net zero technologies, also as a response to the US “Inflation Reduction Act”. The integration of certain social and employment considerations aims at ensuring that environmental goals do not overshadow the need for decent work standards and social dialogue.

Furthermore, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD) directive obliges companies to monitor, assess and report the environmental and human rights impacts of their production and activities throughout their supply chains. It is about accountability, to ensure that corporations are responsible not just to their shareholders, but explicitly to their workers, to society and the environment at large.

Our advocacy has also played a role in the directive aimed at protecting workers in the platform economy. The new legislation wants to redress misclassifications of workers as ‘self-employed’ and it aims at regulating and controlling the use of algorithms in managing workers, paving the way for fairer employment practices in the platform economy.

Another important step was the approval of the directive on combating violence against women. This legislation introduces comprehensive measures to reduce violence against women, also ensuring a safer and more equitable work environment for all.

Lastly, the new EU regulation banning products made with forced labour not only prohibits the sale within the EU of goods produced with forced labour but also sets up a robust mechanism for investigation and enforcement by authorities.

The European parliament’s approvals must still be rubberstamped by the Council, which we hope will be a formality and happen swiftly. Ahead of the upcoming EU elections, we can hopefully welcome important signs to the EU citizens and workers that the EU can deliver for them.

After the elections, our task then must turn to vigilant implementation. We must monitor the impact of the new EU laws and advocate for adjustments if needed.

We thank you for your steadfast support, cooperation and commitment to CESI!

Klaus Heeger

Secretary General

Labour shortage in the healthcare sector:

Does the 2005 Professional Qualifications Directive
need update?

May 22 2024 | (Brussels – CESI office) | 12:00 – 14:00 |

Interpretation will be provided based on participation

Light lunch

Register here

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape heavily affected by labour staff shortages, the need for competent, skilled, and adaptable healthcare professionals is exploding.

Following the informal meeting of health ministers on 23-24 April 2024 and anticipating their recommendations for the formal meeting on 21 June, this lunchtime CESI@noon meeting aims to better assess the impact of the recognition (or lack of) of professional qualifications on the availability of healthcare workforce in various member states.

The 2005 Professional Qualifications Directive has long been the cornerstone for ensuring the quality and mobility of healthcare professionals (only 6 categories represented by general care nurses, dental practitioners, veterinary surgeons, midwives, pharmacists, and doctors) across the European Union. Facing demographic transition, gender disparities, the COVID-19 experiences, evolving healthcare needs and new healthcare technologies, it is time to reassess and potential revise this directive to address the challenges and opportunities of modern healthcare.

This event seeks to address the following inquiries:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of revising the Directive?

2. Is it advisable to expand the scope of the Professional Qualifications Directive to encompass additional healthcare professionals?

3. Might a revision facilitate greater mobility of the healthcare workforce, improve recognition of existing healthcare professionals, and consequently alleviate current labor shortages?

Draft agenda

#InvestInPublicServices #SocialEurope #EU2030

11:30 Welcome & light lunch

12:00 Welcome address & introduction

Lina Gálvez Muñoz, Member of the European Parliament (tbc)

Klaus Heeger, Secretary General of CESI

Martin le Vrang, Deputy Head of Unit, European Commission

12.30 The challenges

Dolores Martínez Márquez, Secretary General of SAE

Oliver Krzywanek, Deputy Head of the Health Division at dbb, komba

Paul De Raeve, Secretary General of the European Federation of Nurses Association (EFN)

13:00 Possible responses

Elizabeth Kuipers, Associate Director and Head of the Social Europe and Well-being programme at European Policy Centre

Tina Weber, Researcher at Eurofound

William Vandezande, Cabinet expert for the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (tbc)

13.40 Open discussion with participants

13.55 The way ahead and recommendations

Klaus Heeger, Secretary General of CESI

14.00 End

The European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI)

in partnership with

the SEISMEC-Project* and Reshaping Work

invites you to

CESI Summer Days 2024

New Technologies, AI & Gender Equality at Work
Bridging gaps, now and tomorrow

Thursday, June 27 2024, 14.00-18.30 (followed by BBQ & live music)

Friday, June 28 2024, 9.00-13.30 (followed by lunch)

Venue: Le Bouche à Oreille, Rue Félix Hap 11, 1040 Brussels
Moderated by Kerstin Born-Sirkel, BSC International

Full Programme

Workshops

In the dynamic landscape of new technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe, the ongoing pursuit of gender equality at the workplace remains a crucial focal point.

As industries undergo transformative shifts caused by technological advancements, it is paramount to scrutinize the pivotal role that women play in shaping these changes, and vital to delve into the intersection of women, new technologies, and AI within the context of employment.

Opportunities for fostering greater gender diversity and dismantling discriminatory barriers that hinder women’s full participation in the workforce must be explored.

As the world navigates digital frontiers, it becomes increasingly obvious that inclusiveness can not only bridge gender gaps but also drive innovation and propel Europe towards a more equitable future of work.

In the frame of CESI’s ‘eQualPRO’ project, the event shall touch upon questions such as:

-What are the specific challenges faced by women at work in the public and private sectors, and how should they be addressed?

-What strategies have been/ can be employed to ensure an equal distribution of benefits from the digital transformation of work, especially for female workers?

-What skills or competencies do women need to develop to thrive in the evolving landscape of digital work,
and how can these be fostered?

-In what ways can AI systems contribute positively to gender equality at work,
and what ethical guidelines should be in place to prevent gender bias?

-How can companies and trade unions ensure that algorithms and decision-making processes are transparent and respect diversity?

-How can trade unions actively contribute to the design and implementation of measures promoting gender equality in the digital workspace and to detecting and mitigating gender bias in AI algorithms?

-What collaborative efforts can be established between government bodies, businesses, and social partners to advance gender equality in the evolving landscape of work?

*

With the participation of:

Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights
Romain Wolff, President of CESI
Klaus Heeger, Secretary General of CESI
Karen Vandekerckhove, Head of Unit ‘Gender Equality’ at the European Commission
Nathalie Vandystadt, Policy Officer for Communication, AI Office, DG CNECT, European Commission
Max Uebe, Head of Unit ‘Future of Work, Youth Employment’ at the European Commission
Marta Dell’Aquila, Researcher in the Global Governance, Regulation, Innovation and Digital Economy Unit of CEPS
Milanie Kreutz, President of dbb Frauen
Sara Rinaudo, Chairwoman of CESI’s Working Group on the ‘Future of Work’
Kirsten Lühmann, Chairwoman of CESI’s Commission on Women’s Rights (FEMM)
Katarzyna Szkuta, EU and International Affairs Advisor at the Federal Government of Belgium
Laura Kaun, Policy and Campaigns Director at the European Women’s Lobby (EWL)
Sandrine Cazes, Senior Economist at the OECD
Giulia Torchio, Researcher at the EPC
Jowita Michalska, Digital European Union Ambassador
Matthäus Fandrejewski, Representative of CESI Youth
Gilda Isernia, Project and Policy Coordinator at OBESSU
Selma Toktas, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Miranda Karagöl, Member of TVML
Jacob Dencik, Economic Research Leader at the IBM Institute for Business Value
Jason Pridmore, SEISMEC
Ariane Loze, Artist, Personaldata.io

*

Workshop partners:

European Commission
European Policy Centre (EPC)
CESI Youth
Personaldata.io
Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)
European Women’s Lobby (EWL)
Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU)

*

*SEISMEC Project: Funded by the European Union (‘HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions’), SEISMEC (‘Supporting European Industry Success Maximization through Empowerment Centred development’) aims to promote ethical and human-centred development of digital and industrial technologies with 17 pilots in 19 companies from 14 countries across 14 industrial ecosystems. Participating companies and organisations:

Official media partner of the ‘Summer Days’:

European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI)
Avenue des Arts 19 AD, 8ème étage, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
[email protected] | +32 (0) 22821870

EU transparency register number 32738888445-74

Copyright © 2024, All rights reserved.

In an effort to underline the significance of voter participation in the forthcoming elections, the European Parliament has launched an influential campaign targeting the citizens of Europe. The initiative, aptly named “Real Stories of Democracy,” conveys a clear and urgent message: “Use your vote; otherwise, others will decide for you.”

The campaign comes at a critical time when the fabric of democracy seems increasingly precarious, not just in Europe but globally. The cornerstone of the campaign is to foster a deeper appreciation for democratic processes and to remind European citizens of their power and responsibility as voters. The slogan is a direct call to action, urging individuals to exercise their democratic right to vote to ensure that their voices are heard.

CESI positively notes the European Parliament plenary’s endorsement of a text on a new directive on corporate sustainability due diligence – the so-called CSDD directive – on Wednesday this week, which had been negotiated previously with the Presidency of the Council.

The rules, which still need to be formally approved by the Council at ministerial level, foresees new obligatory rules for companies operating or selling in the EU to restrict environmental and human rights-related negative impacts along their supply, production and distribution chains, including in the area of labour rights. The rules are envisaged to apply to EU companies and parent companies with more than 1000 employees and a turnover of more than €450 million per year in the EU, as of 2029. Non-respect of rules would be sanctioned with fines up to 5% of their worldwide turnover.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “New rules on corporate sustainability due diligence can help increase awareness and avoid labour and social rights abuses in the production and distribution chain of multinational companies which manufacture and or sell products on the EU market. The notion that companies should care about their employees is at the very core of constructive and trust-based worker-employer relations. We hope that the Council will swiftly rubber-stamp the new CSDD directive.”

He added: “We should remain cautious however to not put disproportionate burden on companies to further human rights across the world. This remains above all a political tasks for politicial leaders in the EU and the Member States, which need to be clear in the communicaiton and action towards authoritarian regimes that allow lax human and labour rights in their countries.”

According to CESI, the approval of the European Parliament’s plenary this week in Strasbourg of a new EU Net Zero Industry Act can be a step to secure more socially responsible public procurement in the EU.

Following the approval of the new Act, which still needs to be formally endorsed by the Council, the EU and its Member States would be obliged to “produce 40% of the annual deployment needs in net zero technologies by 2030” and “to capture 15% of the global market value for these technologies.” These technologies include renewable technologies, nuclear, industrial decarbonisation, grid, energy storage technologies, and biotech.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “Public procurement to accelerate industries from renewable energy sources will be signifcant. The envisaged Act foresees special social and employment-related considerations that Member States may need to apply in public procurement procedures. We hope that these considerations will be used extensively by contracting authorities to tie the award of public money to decent work standards, including the application of collective agreements. “

The text as adopted by the European Parliament plenary yesterday foresees:

• new rules to rectify false self-employment of dependent workers in platforms, in order to subject them to core worker and labour rights. In doing so, the envisaged directive seeks to introduce a presumption of a ‘regular’ employment relationship (in contrast to one of alleged self-emploment) which applies as soon as predefined facts indicate that worker control and management by platforms are present. This presumption can be rebutted by platforms, with the burden of proof of ‘correct’ self-employment lying on the platform.
• new rules to prohibit worker management decisions by algorithms with far-reaching consequences, like decisions to lay off a worker.
• new rules on the protection of data of workers which platforms may use and process.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “Just some weeks ago, negotiations on the platform directive seemed in a dead end, with a blocking minority in the Council spearheaded by Germany and France. We appraise the Belgian Presidency and the European Parliament rapporteurs for their re-negotiation efforts and their courage to push the directive through even by sidelining – and essentially isolating – the big players Germany and France in the Council.”

He added: “Millions of misclassified platform workers can now hope for fairer employment. The text now endorsed by the European Parliament features many provisions that we have demanded during the last months and years. But we should remain cautious nevertheless. Even if formally fully adopted, this is a novel type of directive for an economic sector that develops and transforms at a huge speed. We will need to monitor the directive’s implementation closely and carefully assess to what extent it delivers effectively. If necessary, we will need to push for legislative adjustments in due time.”

The envisaged new rules, which still need to be formally approved by the Council at ministerial level, introduce new binding measures to bring down violence against women, such as by combating forced marriage and female genital mutilation and by prohibiting the disclosure of private information online without consent.

In the European Parliament the new rules were adopted by a large majority of 522 in favour and 72 against, with 27 abstentions.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “Together with affiliates, partners and stakeholders we have fought long for this directive to see the light of day. We campaigned for the directive to help bring down violence at work and in employment too. We are glad that we succeeded and that we played our part in this landmark achievement for women across Europe.”

The text on the directive as adopted by the European Parliament foresees an extensive list of aggravating circumstances for violence-related offenses that carry more severe criminal penalties, which also includes situations in which offences were committed “against a person made vulnerable by particular circumstances, such as a situation of dependence” or “by abusing a recognised position of trust, authority or influence.” This can encompass violence by managers against employees.

It also seeks more specialised assistance for victims of violence than has been provided for until now, including financial support and assistance to remain in or find employment.

Moreover, the text endows a special role for social partners to be involved in measures to prevent violence against women as well as in training activities for profressionals that are likely to come into contact with victims, such as policy officers and court staff. A horizontal article 40 on multiagency coordination and cooperation ensures that Member States shall put in place appropriate mechanisms to ensure an effective coordination of and effective cooperation among relevant authorities and social partners in protecting victims from violence against women and in supporting them.

Klaus Heeger concluded: “I hope that the Council will swiftly green-light the new directive. Before the EU elections in June, this would be an important sign for us to show to female citizens, workers and their families: The EU can deliver for you.”

The regulation, which still needs to be formally approved by the Council at ministerial level, forsees that in the entire EU the sale, import, and export of goods made using forced labour will be forbidden.

According to the envisaged rules:

• EU and national level authorities will be able to investigate suspicious goods, supply chains, and manufacturers.
• Producers of banned goods need to withdraw them from the EU single market and donate, recycle or destroy them.
• Non-compliant manufacturers will be fined. They will only be allowed back with their products in question on the EU market once the involved forced labour has been abolished.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “I am particularly pleased about the broad support that the new regulation received in the European Parliament plenary. 555 votes in favor and only 6 votes against show that the EU does not want to tolerate forced labour products any longer. This is an important sign to authoritarian third countries that still make systematic use of forced labour, including by political prisoners.”

He added: “The Council at ambassadors’ level in Coreper has already approved the regulation. We hope the Council at ministerial level will soon follow suit so that the new law can enter into force without delay. This new law constitute a significant deliverable of the EU’s employment and social agenda ahead of the EU elections in June.”

The full text of the new regulation is available here.

On April 11-12, 2024, CESI and the European Policy Centre (EPC) organised a timely event focused on the crucial issue of labour inclusion of Ukrainian refugees.

The roundtable discussion highlighted the integration of refugees into the workforce through targeted education and training initiatives.

Following the recent endorsement of the migration reform by the European Parliament, the event emphasised the need for tailored support structures and strategic partnerships across various sectors. These measures are aimed at enhancing the employability and integration of Ukrainian refugees into European labour markets.

The discussions were framed within CESI’s #Activer project, underscoring the necessity of proactive and comprehensive approaches to address the myriad challenges faced by refugees, ensuring they have the necessary resources and opportunities to contribute effectively to their new communities.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger reiterated CESI’s commitment to supporting Ukrainian refugees, stating, “We stand in solidarity with Ukrainian refugees, recognising the challenges they face. We are committed to providing support, advocating for their rights, and ensuring their voices are heard. Together, we strive to offer the help they need during these trying times.”

Next to the Secretary General of CESI, the event featured insights from esteemed speakers, including Julie Fionda (European Commission), Stefan Nowatschin (BvLB), Ernesto Villalba (CEDEFOP), Myroslava Keryk (Ukrainian House), and Olga Makogon (Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine). The discussions were adeptly moderated by Anastasia Karatzas (EPC).

The successful roundtable not only illuminated the pressing needs of Ukrainian refugees but also showcased the commitment of CESI and its partners to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for them within the European workforce.

On the second day, CESI’s “EDUC” Commission convened to delve deeper into discussions, concentrating specifically on education and the pivotal role of teachers.

The Declaration commits to maintaining the European Pillar of Social Rights at the heart of the national and EU political agendas and keep it as the main compass to guide social and economic progress, based on enhanced competitiveness and productivity, equal opportunities, quality employment and fair working conditions, and reduced poverty.

The declaration was signed by Roberta Metsola (President of the European Parliament), Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), Oliver Röpke (President of the European Economic and Social Committee), Alexander De Croo (President of the Council of the EU) as well as representatives from European social partners and the Social Platform as voice of European NGOs.

It was however rejected by BusinessEurope – the largest European social partner on the employer side – as well as by the Swedish and Austrian governments.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger, who represented CESI at the La Hulpe summit, said: “The La Hulpe Declaration on the Future of the European Pillar of Social Rights represents an important commitment to ensure that the Pillar is here with us to stay – unlike the failed Europe 2020 strategy a decade ago. A political backing by institutions including the European Parliament and the European Commission is highly encouraging, especially given the encompassing and ambitious objectives laid out in the Declaration.”

He added: “I congratulate the Belgian Presidency for pushing the Declaration through even against the political will of some actors. The rejection of the Declaration by BusinessEurope and two Member States is discomforting. For the future of the European cross-sector social dialogue this is not a positive sign, and for still applicable unanimous decision-making in the Council in social policy matters it is problematic too. I hope the concerned actors will still get back to seeing the importance of backing the European Pillar of Social Rights in its entirety. Before the EU elections in June, this would be an important sign of an added value of the EU in employment and social affairs for citizens, workers and their families.”

On April 11, 2024, CESI and the European Policy Centre (EPC) organised a timely event focused on the crucial issue of labour inclusion of Ukrainian refugees.

The roundtable discussion highlighted the integration of refugees into the workforce through targeted education and training initiatives.

Following the recent endorsement of the migration reform by the European Parliament, the event emphasised the need for tailored support structures and strategic partnerships across various sectors. These measures are aimed at enhancing the employability and integration of Ukrainian refugees into European labour markets.

The discussions were framed within CESI’s #Activer project, underscoring the necessity of proactive and comprehensive approaches to address the myriad challenges faced by refugees, ensuring they have the necessary resources and opportunities to contribute effectively to their new communities.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger reiterated CESI’s commitment to supporting Ukrainian refugees, stating, “We stand in solidarity with Ukrainian refugees, recognising the challenges they face. We are committed to providing support, advocating for their rights, and ensuring their voices are heard. Together, we strive to offer the help they need during these trying times.”

Next to the Secretary General of CESI, the event featured insights from esteemed speakers, including Julie Fionda (European Commission), Stefan Nowatschin (BvLB), Ernesto Villalba (CEDEFOP), Myroslava Keryk (Ukrainian House), and Olga Makogon (Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine). The discussions were adeptly moderated by Anastasia Karatzas (EPC).

The successful roundtable not only illuminated the pressing needs of Ukrainian refugees but also showcased the commitment of CESI and its partners to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for them within the European workforce.

The conference takes stock and sets the compass for European social and employment policies during the next EU legislative term, following the European elections in June this year. The objective is to sign an interinstitutional declaration on the future social agenda of the EU, the so-called ‘La Hulpe Declaration’, for the further implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the EU’s overarching framework to advance social and employment policies in the EU and the Member States. The conference brings together key policymakers, stakeholders and experts.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “I am glad to participate today at the La Hulpe High Level Conference on the European Pillar of Social Rights and represent CESI’s over 6 million members and affiliates across Europe, equivalent to 15% of the unionised workforce in Europe. We share the Belgian Council Presidency’s consideration that a pluralistic and inclusive conference is what will bring forward the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. Employment and social policies in Europe can only be successful if they consider and involve the voices and insights of as many workers as possible, if as many workers as possible can take ownership in the European Pillar of Social Rights and are given the opportunity to engage and commit fully. A successful implementation of the Pillar will require joint efforts and forces – the full engagement and commitment of CESI and its members.”

He added: “The agenda of the summit is ambitious, and rightly so. In times of perma- and polycrisis spanning from the Russian war in Ukraine to the ongoing challenges of digitalisation, the green transition and demographic ageing that impact on economies and societies in profoundly transforming ways, there is urgency to design labour markets, employment rights, social protection and social cohesion in a sustainable, inclusive and future-proof manner. The continued focus on the European Pillar of Social Rights as a compass in EU and national policy-making is of major importance in this regard, and the summit in La Hulpe is an important occasion to recall this.”

The event of the European Sunday Alliance – a broad European coalition of trade unions, employers’ associations, social NGOs, and church organisations campaigning for synchronised free time in Europe – was hosted by MEPs Miriam Lexmann and Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP) and came ahead of the European elections in June. On the occasion of the European Day for a Work-Free Sunday on 3 March, CESI, together with members of the European Sunday Alliance, had already launched an election manifesto that calls on European decision-makers to work at national and Brussels level to ensure that Sunday protection remain as broad as possible.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “Digitalisation processes and ever more flexibility in employment relationships require more work by more people on weekends, including from home and on Sundays. We take a critical look at this from the perspective of the workforce.”

He added: “Parts of public services must of course also be available to citizens on weekends and public holidays – including the police, fire brigade and hospitals. However, in the public sector and especially in the private sector, increasing pressure on employees to work weekends and provide non-essential services must be avoided and fought. We stand up for a fundamental right to disconnect and the general protection of Sunday as a day of rest for workers to recharge batteries with family or in social communities.”

Indeed, until the mid-1990s, a provision in the EU Working Time Directive stipulated that Member States must, in principle, protect Sunday as a non-working day. This requirement was anulled by the European Court of Justice at that time because no evidence-based proof was available to show that a Sunday is a more valuable day off for workers’ health than any other day off in the week, as the Working Time Directive has since prescribed.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger commented: “In fact, almost 30 years after the ECJ ruling, there is still surprisingly little data collection and studies showing that employees can ‘switch off’ better on Sunday than on any other day off. For us, however, this assumption remains highly plausible. In the circle of family, in clubs and social communities, employees can recharge their batteries better for the new week than alone at home on any given day, when all other acquaintances and family members are working or at school. This is what our members tell us again and again. We hope that politicians at national and European level will take this into account. And of course, we as trade unions must insist in the social dialogue with employers not to weaken Sunday protection unnecesarily.”

On March 20 the European Commission published set of two measures to improve working conditions for trainees, which includes a proposal for a Directive on improving and enforcing working conditions for trainees and combatting regular employment relationships disguised as traineeships as well as a proposal to revise the non-bincing 2014 Council Recommendation on a Quality Framework for Traineeships to address issues of quality and inclusiveness, such as fair pay and access to social protection.

CESI Youth salutes in particular the new ‘Traineeships Directive’ with its objective to facilitate and promote fair employment practices for trainees in the EU, while combatting current exploitative practices. It highlights the importance of ensuring that traineeships should serve their intended purpose: to provide valuable learning experiences and skills development opportunities for individuals transitioning into the labour market. By setting out to improve and enforce working conditions for trainees, the proposed Directive aims to safeguard their rights, prevent exploitation, and promote fair employment practices.

Key measures include above all:

1. Enhanced working conditions: the proposed Directive sets out provisions to establish minimum standards for working conditions during traineeships, including remuneration, working hours and access to social protection. It includes clear defining criteria to distinguish genuine traineeships from employment relationships. It emphasises the importance of Member States to ensure oversight on the application of the labour.
2. Mitigated exploitative employment practices: Recognising the prevalence of disguised regular employment relationships as traineeships, the proposed Directive seeks to introduce measures to prevent such abuses. This includes clear defining criteria to distinguish genuine traineeships from employment relationships. Although the text of the proposal is ambitions, there is serious concern whether national labour inspectorates can deal with the task of differentiating and discovering fake first entry jobs disguised as traineeships and to enforce good conditions for those trainees, as the proposal envisages.
3. Strengthened enforcement mechanisms: To ensure effective implementation, the proposed Directive puts forward measures to enhance relevant monitoring and enforcement mechanisms at both national and EU levels. This may involve cooperation between relevant authorities and stakeholders to oversee compliance with the Directive’s provisions.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “The proposed new Traineeships Directive is poised to bring about several positive outcomes for trainees: improved working conditions through fair remuneration and adequate social protection, a better prevention of exploitation, and in the long term more fairness and equity through a level playing field for both trainees and employers’.

CESI Youth Representative Matthäus Fandrejewski said: “The proposed Directive aligns with the EU’s commitment to ensuring decent work and social justice for all individuals in the labour market. However, it could have been more ambitions in terms of banning unpaid internships, in line with a campaign of the European Youth Forum.”

Further information about the position of CESI and CESI Youth on traineeships is available here.

The European Sunday Alliance invites you to a European Parliamentary Breakfast event, hosted by MEPs Miriam Lexmann and Tomáš Zdechovský on:

The importance of ‘Sunday protection’ in EU policy initiatives on mental health and loneliness

European Parliament ASP MEP Salon (ground floor)
Language: English

Wednesday, April 10 2024, 8:00-9:30 o’clock
(pick-up at Esplanade entrance to the ASP building by 7:40 o’clock)

Send an email to [email protected] if you are interested to participate

In its comprehensive approach to mental health, published on June 7 2023, the European Commission stressed that the complexity and increasing challenges that our European society encounters with regard to mental health and loneliness requires a holistic strategy recognising the importance of the family, community, economy, society, the environment and security. Being committed to address increasing loneliness in the EU, the Commission launched a pilot project on loneliness in June 2023. According to the Commission, loneliness is a complex and widespread issue that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Loneliness is considered a risk factor for mental and physical health and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It can also have significant negative social and economic consequences. “Loneliness is not just a private and individual issue, “the report says. “It may impede social cohesion and should be regarded as a social problem and addressed as such”. “Favourable economic situations, as well as the quantity and quality of social interactions, are key when it comes to preventing loneliness,” the report adds.

Also, in its comprehensive approach to mental health, the European Commission stresses that psychosocial risks and work-related stress are among the most challenging issues in occupational safety and health. It consequently committed to present, in the medium-term, an EU-level initiative on psychosocial risks at work, together with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

The European Sunday Alliance invites interested policy makers and stakeholders to a European Parliamentary breakfast to discuss the role of synchronized free time as an element in addressing mental health issues and loneliness, by debating:

What positive impact can improved work-life balance have on psychosocial health and subsequent illness-related absenteeism at work?
What is the specific impact of synchronised free time on mental health as opposed to scattered free resting days during the week?
Subsequently, which scope could an EU-level initiative on psychosocial risks at work take?
How can an effective work-life balance and synchronised free time for workers reduce loneliness and social isolation?
How can people be supported in their pursuit of an improved work-life balance and in countering loneliness and social isolation in the society? How can a higher participation in joint societal communities be fostered, including in the areas of cultural, faith- and sports-related activities and volunteering?
What does this mean for further plans of the European Commission for the roll-out of its recently launched loneliness project?

until 7:40 Pick-up at Esplanade entrance to the ASP building

8:00 Welcome addresses
MEPs Miriam Lexmann (EPP), Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP) & Evelyn Regner (S&D, by video)
Members of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

8:20 Supporting synchronized free time? The role of the European Commission’s loneliness project in reducing social isolation in society
Béatrice Dhombres
Project Coordinator ‘Fairness and Loneliness’ at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC)

8:40 Synchronised free time as a recipe for mental health and against loneliness in a society driven by accelerated digitalisation
Stefan Eirich, President of the German Catholic Workers’ Movement (KAB)
Antonella Sinagoga, Expert on Parish and Family for the Salesian Youth Ministry Department

08:55 Discussion with the audience

9:25 Conclusions
Steering Committee of the European Sunday Alliance

Co-moderated by Members of the Steering Committee of the European Sunday Alliance: Franziska Kuster, Hendrik Meerkamp (CESI), Alix de Wasseige and Maria Waszkiewicz

**The European Sunday Alliance is a broad network of more than 100 national Sunday Alliances, trade unions, employers’ organisations, civil society organisations, churches and religious communities committed to raise awareness of the unique value of synchronised free time for our European societies. http://www.europeansundayalliance.eu/**

A renewed trilogue deal on a new directive on fair work in the platform economy was achieved on February 8 and confirmed by the Council on March 11. The European Parliament still need to approve formally in what is expected to be a formality.

The European Parliament and Council also approved a revised directive for worker exposure limits to lead and diisocyanates on February 7. In the meantime the formal adoption procedure of the revised directive has been completed. It has been published in the Official Journal of the EU on March 19.

Moreover, a set of new rules for a reinforced role of national equality bodies was confirmed by Coreper (the Council preparatory body of permanent representatives) and by the European Parliament at Committee level, with a final approval by the European Parliament at plenary level and by the Council at ministerial level still pending and to be completed on April 10 and in May respectively.

A trilogue agreement on a new directive on violence against women was achieved on February 6, endorsed also by the European Parliament at committee level on and by Coreper on March 14; an approval by the European Parliament plenary and the Council at ministerial level is scheduled for April 10 and May respectively.

A trilogue agreement was also concluded on a new EU Disability Card on February 9, which has in the meantime been confirmed by Coreper on February 16. A confirmation vote by the European Parliament plenary is planned for April 22.

This was completed by a political agreement on February 10 between the Council and the European Parliament on new rules for the EU’s macroeconomic and fiscal policy rules, which will include some new flexibility and leeway for social investments and investments in resilient public services. This deal has has alread been approved by the European Parliament at committee level on march 4. A plenary vote is scheduled for April 22, with a formal Council approval still pending.

A rubberstamping of a trilogue agreement on a new directive on corporate sustainability due diligence (CSDD) achieved before Christmas was open and pending during several weeks. In the meantime, the European Parliament at committee level and Coreper approved of a renegotiated trilogue agreement on March 10 and 11 respectively. A formal approval by the European Parliament plenary is scheduled for April 22, with a vote by the Council at ministerial level still pending.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “After an eventful legislative term which spanned from a Covid pandemic to a cost-of-living crisis and a war in Ukraine, we are encouraged to see that the EU institutions are making a serious effort to conclude many important files on time before the EU elections in June. Workers and their families across Europe will appreciate this.”

He added: “Some files have been effectively concluded, such as those on a stronger role for national equality bodies. Other files are on a good track, such as a new EU directive on CSDD and platform work. And a few are still pending with final confirmation votes still open, notably in the Council. This includes new rules macroeconomic and fiscal policy. We call on all concerned actors to make an effort conclude formal adoption procedures before the EU elections. We are all aware that no adopted legislation is always entirely perfect for all actors, but a good compromise can still bring overwhelming benefits overall.”

Dear members, partners, and friends,

The political, socio-economic, environmental and security-related complexities and challenges that we have been experiencing in Europe during the last years demand a proactive and adaptive involvement in the shaping of our continent. Crisis management, the preservation of the rule of law, and the steadfast championing of liberal democratic values across all Member States emerge as non-negotiable imperatives.

Against this background, we need a Europe that prioritises safety, maintains economic stability, embraces human-centric values, and upholds high living and working standards, fostering well-being for all its citizens. In other words: a resilient and dynamic European Union.

Ahead of the European elections this June, we urge every CESI affiliate, every European citizen to recognise the importance of these elections and the transformative potential they hold for our future. In our manifesto we seek to address key challenges and advocate for positive changes in the European political landscape.

One of our foremost proposals is the establishment of a New Social Deal, akin to the legally binding Green Deal. This Deal would deliver on the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights and reinforce the commitment to social justice and inclusion. And aligning with the EU’s recommendation on strengthening social dialogue, we demand decisive action to ensure the adequate protection of workers, trade unions, and social partners.

Among others, we further advocate for updates to the EU directives on public procurement and concessions as well as the EU’s State Aid regulations, making it obligatory to tie criteria for decent work and collective agreement coverage to public money and expenditures, and we call for a revision of the EU directives on fixed-term work, part-time work, and temporary agency work to eliminate loopholes that currently lead to discrimination against these workers.

Our manifesto also addresses current challenges in the workplace, from violence against women and harassment of workers to impacts of digitalisation on working conditions; and in terms of safety and health, we call on the EU to intensify its efforts to support Member States, public authorities and social partners in the protection of workers against modern hazards.

Finally, we emphasise the need for Member States to invest in and fortify public services, recognising their indispensable role in times of crisis.

June 2024 presents an opportunity. Together, let us shape the future of Europe. For workers. With workers.

Yours sincerely,

Klaus Heeger