News

On 7th October 2014, the World Day for Decent Work, European trade unions from all over Europe will take action for a European economy which must be based on decent jobs, not

on precariousness. Men and women must be able to earn their living by working, without having to end up in precarious and/or badly paid jobs. Quality jobs with decent wages and

decent working conditions are the right of every worker in Europe. European Trade Unions will continue acting jointly against precarious work.

European trade unions are extremely concerned about the dramatic decline of the labour market within the European Union. Not only are the unemployment figures increasing due

to the economic crisis and austerity policies, but there are also a decreasing number of possibilities for workers to find jobs from which they can earn their living.

European Trade Union Federations continue their campaign to stop precarious work – in close coordination and cooperation with the ETUC.

European Trade Unions are taking action for:

· New, decent employment opportunities, especially in the crisis-ridden countries

· Work that guarantees a fair income and social protection in order to meet one´s needs – for men and women, as well as for the young and old

· A fair and decent EU labour market strategy which prevents precarious employment instead of promoting it, including the struggle against the misuse of temporary work and

false self-employment, and against unethical practices towards cross-border workers

· Promoting stable employment and ending the multiplication of contractual arrangements which leads to more precariousness

· Investing in education and training, both for lesser and higher skilled workers

· Promoting work-life management for workers across Europe, with a particular emphasis on addressing psycho-social health risks at work, such as stress and burnout

· Maintaining and strengthening collective bargaining, which is crucial for delivering decent work and has to be defended against the attacks coming from the European

Commission and European Central Bank

· Ensuring well-resourced and staffed labour inspectorates to inspect, monitor and sanction those employers that abuse workers on precarious contracts.

Oliver Roethig, UNI Europa Regional Secretary said: “Precarious work does not enable decent living conditions - precariousness in the European labour market must be stopped!”  

The Joint Press Release is annexed.