Transparency & Corruption, Early Childhood Education and Care, Energy, Ukraine, Moldova, Croatia
EPSU Childcare Network meets to discuss monitoring and evaluation, staff ratios, and more
This week, the EPSU Childcare Network met to discuss monitoring and evaluation of early childhood education and care, the capacity of ECEC systems to welcome Ukrainian children and ECEC staff, and child : staff ratios.
EPSU, Transparency International and others demand Ukraine to protect whistle blowers
Together with a group of organisations that defend whistleblowers and the Whistleblowers International Network (WIN), EPSU has demanded the Ukrainian President to reverse amendments that would weaken a law that protects whistleblowers.
Critical issues in energy negotiations
Earlier this month the Atomprofilska nuclear energy union began negotations with the Energoatom company. However, the industry is facing major challenges and the union is particularly concerned about the financial state of the company and the lack of support from the government. The union argues that the government has left the company effectively on the verge of bankruptcy and this is having an impact on maintaining proper health and safety. The union is looking to appeal directly to the President to take action, will organise protests in key cities, is calling for the resignation of the
Nuclear energy union set up for lengthy protest
The Atomprofspilka nuclear energy union organised a major demonstration outside the office of the Cabinet of Ministers on 4 December in protest at the failure of the government to address union demands for information about the strategy for the industry. The union is concerned about recent developments including the cancellation of projects that are creating doubts about jobs and the future development of the sector. Protests have also taken place in other key cities and camps set up where nuclear workers stay in tents when not at work to demonstrate their determination to get a reaction to
Energy union protests over failure to consult
At its meeting on 21 March, the central committee of the Nuclear Energy and Industry Workers’ Union (NEIWUU) protested about restructuring being carried out in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, where the authority responsible for the zone was taking decisions without consulting the union. The NEIWUU expressed concern about violations of social obligations that are stipulated by the sectoral agreement. The union also gave examples of staff relocations where it had to remind the authority that it had to consult with the union as required by the Labour Code. This was the sixth reform applied to
Childcare workers mobilise over pension age increase
The SOMK education, culture and media union organised demonstrations in Zagreb and Rijeka to protest against plans to raise the retirement age for childcare workers from 65 to 67. The union argues that the change fails to recognise the nature of work in the sector and the increasing mental and physical demands made on childcare workers. EPSU sent a message of solidarity as did the BDDSz childcare workers from Hungary.
