Migration, Work-life balance
Fighting for the rights of migrants and asylum-seekers
Migration has major implications for public services not least because of the significant contribution of migrant workers to the provision of public services in many European countries. Thousands of public service employees across Europe work in areas related to migrations and asylum-seeking. Unfortunately, the European and national response to asylum-seekers has often fallen pitifully short of what should be expected from one of the wealthiest regions in the world and EPSU has been arguing hard for a change of approach, criticising the European Union’s policies which continue to focus on tightening borders, pushing back refugees and outsourcing asylum duties to third countries. EPSU, along with PSI, has also been calling for an end to privatisation and increased public investment in the public services that are vital to ensure the safe and effective integration of migrants and asylum-seekers into society. This briefing, prepared for EPSU's 2019 Congress provides some background on EPSU's activities in this area.
EPSU welcomes report of the European Parliament on EU assisting Italy and Greece responding to increase of refugees
(16 September 2016) The number of people seeking asylum and a safe place is growing again in Italy and Greece. The European Commission proposed for the Member States to assist
EPSU Executive Committee addresses Tax Justice, Brexit, situation in Turkey, CETA, elects new leadership and much more
We have a new President in EPSU. Isolde Kunkel-Weber from the German union Ver.di was elected and will take over from Annelie Nordstrom. Mette Nord from the Norwegian union Fagforbundet was elected vice-President.
New Forms of Service Delivery in municipalities, good practice for occupational health and safety and social dialogue are interlinked!
CEMR and EPSU organized the final conference in Barcelona to discuss the final project report and recommendations on new forms of service delivery for municipalities, the contribution of social dialogue and well-being at work.
Social Partners in LRG adopt revised guidelines on migration and anti-discrimination practices
Social Partners on the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee on Local and Regional Governments, meeting today in Brussels, approved and adopted the revised EPSU-CEMR Guidelines on strengthening anti-discrimination measures in
EPSU defends undocumented migrants on International Migrants Day
(Press Release) ‘I am proud that many of our affiliates support, defend and organise undocumented migrants, as they fight for access to public services, such as health and education’, said EPSU General Secretary, Jan Willem Goudriaan.
Support for recast posted workers directive
(January 2017) Last month the European Economic and Social Committee gave its backing in principle to the European Commission's proposed recast of the Posted Workers Directive. It noted in particular how the concept of "remuneration" might help ensure equal pay for equal work but on time limits suggested six rather than 24 months. The ETUC is coordinating lobbying work around the Directive which is being discussed in the European Parliament's Employment Committee with a deadline for amendments of 9 February.
Manufacturing deal sets pace for rest of economy
(February 2017) Negotiators in the private manufacturing sector signed a new three-year deal last month. This is seen as a key agreement setting the pace for negotiations in other sectors. In the public services, the FOA union noted in particular the proposals for new funding and rights for workers for training as well as improved parental leave. FOA also underlines the flat-rate, two-crown (EUR 0.3) increase in the minimum hourly pay rates in each of the three years of the agreement. Which will take the minimum to DKK 117.65 (EUR 16.1) by 2019.
Better pay and parental leave rights in care sector
(February 2017) The vida and GPA-djp service unions have negotiated a new agreement covering 5000 workers employed by Diakonie Austria, the church-based care provider. The pay increase of 1.9% is ahead of the 0.9% average inflation rate recorded in 2016. In addition there are improvements to and protection of the rights of workers taking parental leave which the unions say will particularly benefit the significant number of part-time women workers with childcare needs.