UNI Europa demands a future for young workers
NEWS BUZZ: UNI Europa Youth
"Young people are getting the best education ever, are mobile and flexible yet they still miss out on good jobs", says Martina Hartung, president of UNI Europa Youth. “Europe is going the wrong way. This conference will be an opportunity to highlight again and again that urgent action is needed to address the plight affecting our young people.” She added.
In all European countries youth unemployment hits record high. Young people are the first to get fired and are left with a limited option of temporary, precarious and bad paid jobs. UNI Europa youth calls for more investment in creating jobs for youth so that they are left with a future to look up to.
Mini jobs or internships without rights or proper payment create insecurity, fear and hopelessness. Fear often leads to hatred and opens the door for racist, anti-Semitic and extreme right-wing politics. UNI sends out a clear signal against any form of discrimination, inequality and right wing tendencies. Democratic rights and Trade Union rights have to be part of the overall basic rights in the European Union.
Neil Anderson, Head of UNI Score, stresses the importance of engaging with youth within unions. “In the UNI Breaking Through Strategy, youth are a vital part of our organising plans. We need young people in unions, as leaders, as opinion formers and as workers who will tackle workplace issues,” he said. By the same token, UNI Europa youth calls upon trade unions to ensure that young workers get organised and integrated in the national and international union work, that their interests are included in the negotiations for collective agreements at all levels. They also call for a better inclusion and integration into UNI's regional structures and stand ready to do their share in engaging more and more young workers, giving them a voice and fighting on their behalf for a better future.
Finally, policymakers at national and regional levels have to give young people hope that their future will be bright, that they will earn a proper salary in acceptable working conditions and that their lives will not be shattered by the current crisis.