News

UNI europa Regional Secretary Bernadette Segol and representatives from the UGT, FIFPRO and the European Elite Athletes Association met with Spanish Secretary for Sport, Jaime Lissavetzy to present their concerns regarding a request by the Olympic and Sport Movement for an exemption or specific application of E.U. law to sport.

 

UNI europa also expressed serious concerns about the exclusion of union representatives from a “bilateral structured dialogue” being set up between governments and the Olympic movement to address the concept of the “specificity of sport”. Ms. Segol and the other members of the group strongly condemned the apparent separation of the “specificity of sport” from the social dialogue process.

 

The Minister reassured the group that E.U. law will continue to be applied to sport and that the social partners will be given a larger role in the upcoming European Sport Forum to be held in Madrid from April 19-20. 

 

A special exemption from E.U. law for sport and the exclusion of unions from the structured dialogue on sport is an issue for all workers in Europe as it sets a dangerous precedent allowing employers to operate outside of E.U. labor law.