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Zagreb is the venue for the UNI Europa ICTS Conference this week. Over 200 European trade union leaders from the ICTS sector are engaged in a passionate discussion on how trade unions are facing up to the challenges of the new world of work in telecoms, IT and contact centres.  The future of the ICTS sector is changing quickly in an increasingly digital world.

Croatian Assistant Minister of Labour Karolina Ivankovic welcomed a packed auditorium of more than 200 delegates at the Panorama Hotel in Zagreb. Participants were treated to some traditional Croatian music before a number of leading trade unionists addressed the participants on the theme of the conference, “Smart unions in a smart world”.

“This is a time of change and new challenges,” said Franca Salis Madinier, UNI Europa ICTS President. “We live in a world which is in a constant state of transformation. We are not against digitalization, we just want to make sure that it is regulated so that there is no catastrophic impact on workers.”

President of HST, Juko Cikojevic, advised employers and the government to work together with unions to fix common problems. “Employers in Croatia often set unrealistic goals for their employees which cause workers to work long hours and fear for their jobs if they fail in their tasks”, said Cikojevic. “We have to work together to face these issues - we are always stronger when we stand together.”

Kresimer Sever, the President of Croatian Trade Union Federation said, “In the new world of work, trade unions are the only ones who can force regulations for fair jobs for workers – nothing will be handed to us. It will be even harder to unionise workers.”

“Only when we are strong globally can we stand up to the difficulties of our time. We must realise that trade unions will be challenged and our future will depend on how trade unions have adapted and changed to face the issues of future.”

UNI ICTS World President Andy Kerr paid tribute to the Croatian hosts of the UNI Europa ICTS conference as well as the delegations from Eastern Europe – “I am delighted to see more union representation from Eastern Europe than I have ever seen – Albania, Serbia, Latvia, Hungary, Russia and Romania. It is crucial to organise all over Europe, and with the help of our fantastic affiliates, we are achieving it.”

“Europe often sets the trends and patterns for labour conditions around the world. We must address the needs of the future”, urged Kerr.  “We are fighting all over the world against outsourcing. Outsourcing is diminishing the terms and conditions of workers in whichever country they are operating in.”

In conclusion, Kerr delivered a message of unity on behalf of UK unions and workers to their European counterparts, “On behalf of the UK, I apologise for Brexit – the workers and the people of Britain will always stand united with Europe.”