8 March 2016

Occupational health and safety and well-being at work must be developed in a determined and systematic manner

The success of the European Union and its Member States is based on competitive industry. Skilled, competent and motivated workforce that can respond to challenges forms the foundation for this competitiveness.

The competitive Europe invests in its workforce by improving occupational health and safety and well-being at work in a determined, systematic manner at the corporate, national and European levels. This requires a consistent view of the industrial and social policy in the European Union. While promoting the improvement of operational preconditions and competitiveness of industry, the working conditions of employees must also be improved.

Read more: Occupational health and safety

8 Marts 2016

Yes to a safeguarded Nordic labour market model and no to a European minimum wage

During the crisis and also in its aftermath - when several countries are still facing severe economic problems and an extremely high unemployment – there have been extensive attacks on the collective bargaining system and the autonomy of the social partners. Behind the attacks have been both national governments and the Trojka (the European Commission, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund). As regards to the latter, the attacks have often been a prerequisite for the granting of new loans and other support. It has been in the form of demands for reforms, among others on the labour market. Interference in collective negotiations and collective agreements and also in the trade unions' autonomy and rights has also been part of the attacks. A very recent and serious example of an attack on collective agreements and the social partners’ autonomy has been shown from the Finnish Government.

Read more: No to a European minimum wage