ETUFs joint statement – More Secure Employment and Decent Jobs

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. As European Trade Unions, we will continue to act jointly against precarious work. We will not be played off against each other, not at transnational level, nor on sectoral level, nor on company level.

Unions mobilising to STOP 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.

Following on from this, we are continuing our campaign to stop precarious work – in close coordination and cooperation with the ETUC. Many of the national trade unions will mobilise their members on the Global Action Day on 7th October, in conjunction with the World Day for Decent Work of 2014.

This is, of course, not only oriented towards 7th October. It is a main focal point for all trade unions throughout the year. And many trade unions throughout Europe are successfully taking action against precarious work and achieving better working conditions for their members.

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.