The circular economy: what does it mean for worker participation and sustainable working conditions in the waste sector?
The European Worker Participation Competence Centre and the Research Department of the European Trade Union Institute invite you to this seminar.
9 February 2016
European Transport Workers’ Federation, Rue du Marché aux Herbes 105, Brussels, Belgium
The concept of the circular economy is gaining more attention and recognition. The European Commission presented proposals on how to achieve it as part of the Circular Economy Package on 2 December. Key components are the prevention and reduction of waste, the increase in the re-use and recycling of products and much more. This will contribute to the sustainability of the European economy. The circular economy offers a window on a better society.
However, the European Commission Communication and Action Plan do not address the impact on workers and what can be done:
- What does the ‘circular economy’ mean for workers and their representatives in the waste (collection, sorting, recycling, incineration, re-use... ) sector. It is a sector (particularly in private companies) that still sees low paw, low skilled work being done with poor health and safety standards.
- What potential does worker participation have for increasing the sustainability of work in the sector?
This workshop is designed for worker representatives and aims at exploring the contribution that worker representatives, including EWC members, Board-level Employee representatives and local workplace representatives, as well as trade union actors, can make. The workshop, which focuses on the training of worker representatives and the discussion of strategy, will include sessions on the following topics:
- What does the ‘circular economy’ mean? What impact will it have on the waste sector?
- What are the main problems with health and safety in the sector? How can worker participation improve these conditions in the sector? And can we raise them in the context of the Circular Economy?
- What are the pay and working condition developments in this sector? What strategies can worker representatives use, including information, consultation and participation rights, to improve the situation?
- How can the level of membership in unions be increased to strengthen the voice of workers, and improve worker power in workplace representation? Practical examples of this will be presented and discussed.
Programme
The workshop will start at 9.00 the morning and end at 16.00 on 9 February. A full programme will be available soon. A dinner will be offered the previous evening (8 February at 19.30) at the hotel.
Working languages
English, German and French interpretation will be provided.
Registration
Please fill in a copy of the enclosed form for each participant and return it to the ETUI Secretariat to Ms. Catherine Rihoux ([email protected]) and preferably by 8 January 2016. The workshop will include a maximum of 30 participants.
Reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs
All travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the European Worker Participation Fund for participants from Member States of the European Union. We will confirm the name of the hotel at a later stage.
Travel costs will be reimbursed on the basis of the most economic fare available (economy/APEX/PEX air fares), in accordance with European Commission regulations. If your ticket price will exceed 400 Euro, please contact us. Participants are asked to use public transport wherever possible. As a rule, taxis will not be reimbursed.
Additional information
Should you need any additional information please do not hesitate to contact the ETUI secretariat to Ms. Catherine Rihoux ([email protected]) Tel: +32 2 224 05 45.
- Short report of the meeting
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