http://www.akeuropa.eu/en/event-full.html  During a panel event, organised by AK EUROPA and the European Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation ÖGB in Brussels this Tuesday, expert Sven Hergovich of AK Vienna presented a new AK study on green jobs. A gripping discussion with MEP Karin Kadenbach, Loris di Pietrantonio, European Commission, DG Employment and Guido Lena of UEAPME, the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, clearly demonstrated that so-called green jobs cannot automatically be put on the same level as well paid and highly qualified occupations that have a positive impact on the environment. In reality, so the tenor of the AK study, this applies only to a small number of green jobs.]]>  AK EUROPA, the Brussels office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour and the ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, would like to cordially invite you to on]]>  The Brussels offices of the Chamber of Labour and the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB), together with the renowned Brussels Think Tank European Policy Centre (EPC) invited to a gripping and controversial debate this week. At the centre of the debate was the question whether the EU labour market is one of the key factors for the sustainable consolidation of public budgets as well as the answer to the problem of coping with demographic change. A study on the subject recently published by AK und EPC formed the basis of the discussion.]]>  For the second time, the offices of AK and ÖGB invited to their discussion series “Trade Unions in Dialogue”. The Vienna House in Brussels was almost bursting at the seams, as the subject could not have been more topical: “Europe sinks deeper into crisis – what change of political course is needed?” The discussion was held by ÖGB President Erich Foglar and Udo Bullmann, Member of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in the European Parliament and Head of the German SPD delegation. And right at the start both agreed on a current issue: the recently decided cap on bankers' bonuses is a long overdue step in the right direction. “This would not have been possible without the pressure of the European Parliament” praised Foglar the work of the MEPs.]]>  AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, and the ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, along with EPC, the European Policy Centre, cordially invite you to a policy dialogue on]]>  The ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, and AK EUROPA, the Brussels office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, would like to cordially invite you to:]]>  This week, the Brussels offices of the Chamber of Labour and the Austrian Trade Union Federation invited to a debate whether the current legal regulation of copyrights in the digital age is still in keeping with the times, what a possible reform might look like and which interests are opposing each other on the path to reform. Many experts regard the digital economy as a key engine for economic growth and employment in Europe. All the more important that the interests of employees and consumers along this path are articulated at an early stage. The discussion was hosted by the Sonja Ablinger, Member of the National Council of the Republic of Austria, a committed and recognised politician in the field of culture and media policy.]]>  AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, and ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, would like to invite you to the following panel discussion:]]>  Over the years, the joint New Year reception hosted by AK and ÖGB in Brussels has become an integral part of the political scene in Brussels. Still, this year's reception was something very special. Herbert Tumpel, President of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour since 1997, bade farewell to political life in Brussels. An era, which, including his leading positions at the Austrian Trade Union Federation, reaches from negotiations on Austria's accession to the European Union to this day. In spite of enormous political and social upheavals - from the European Community of 12 Member States via the fall of the Berlin Wall, the introduction of the single European currency, travelling across borders without a passport within the Schengen area to the current Union of 27 Member States - one thing has always remained the same: the sole criterion of Herbert Tumpel's European policy work has always been the improvement of working and living conditions of Austrian and European employees. Reason enough to say thank you. Thank you Herbert!]]>  The ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, and AK EUROPA, the Brussels office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, cordially invite you to our traditional New Year´s reception 2013. ]]>  Last week, AK EUROPA, in cooperation with SOLIDAR and EUROFOUND hosted a conference, which explored the question how social innovation can contribute to the active inclusion of persons who are excluded from the labour market. The interest in the subject was very high. More than 100 persons took part and discussed how strategy and recommendations with regard to adequate income support, integrative labour markets and access to high-quality services, which had been submitted by the EU Commission some time ago, could among other be achieved through social innovation. ]]>  What measures can be taken to achieve a growth-friendly reduction of public household deficits? This question was at the centre of a debate held by representatives from labour and commerce at a cooperation event of the Chamber of Labour, the Austrian Trade Union Federation and the Austrian National Bank in Brussels. For the most part, the panelists agreed that growth-friendly budget consolidation is possible.]]>  How come the debate on tackling the costs of the crisis regularly spars one group of the population: the wealthy? Whilst in most countries of the European Union, employees and pensioners have to pay for the speculation disaster of the banks with severe cuts and unreasonable demands, the rich and superrich continue to let their “money work”. Even during the crisis years, their wealth has seen above-average growth - neither is their consumption of luxury articles in decline. A social imbalance, which divides society more and more into those that possess and those that do not. AK and ÖGB took this Europe-wide political debate as an opportunity to organise a high-calibre event in Brussels to reinforce their common demand: It is high time that the rich start to contribute!]]>  The OeNB (Brussels Representative Office of the Austrian National Bank), AK EUROPA (the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour) and ÖGB EUROPABÜRO (the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federation of Trade Unions) invite you to the following panel discussion:]]>  The ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, and AK EUROPA, the Brussels office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, would like to cordially invite you to]]>  What in Austria is a tried and tested tradition is not a matter of course in most Member States: the Austrian social partners have agreed a common position concerning the current challenges of EU policy. In Brussels, the Presidents of the social partners, among them EU Commissioners Maroš Šefčovič and László Andor, presented the EU institutions, with the joint paper. The reactions were very positive, the concluding reception at the Permanent Representation an overwhelming success.]]>  The Austrian Social Partners have always been actively promoting the integration of Austria into the European Union. They have repeatedly expressed their commitment to European integration. From an economic and social point of view, a comprehensive participation of Austria in the European unification process is not only reasonable but also a cornerstone of the political identity of the Austrian Social Partners. ]]>  Europe is faced with huge challenges: growing global competition, the high proportion of low-skilled workers, an aging society and the alarmingly high number of young people without a job. In times like this, vocational education and training is of utmost importance. Austria has shown during the economic crisis that solid vocational education and training can help tackling youth unemployment. That Austria's vocational education and training could become an export success story, was impressively demonstrated by an event in Brussels, which was co-hosted by AK EUROPA.]]>  High quality vocational education and training can make a crucial contribution to the EU 2020 priorities of creating growth and employment. Austria has a long experience with an interlinked Vocational Education and Training (VET) system that combines dual education with quality VET schools and academic education. The seminar will explore the links between schools and the business environment as well as the role of VET in boosting youth employment and innovation.]]>  The leaders of the Austrian representation of labour, Erich Foglar and Herbert Tumpel agreed in Brussels: from the point of view of European employees almost everything that can go wrong is going wrong. In front of a full house, whilst taking part in a high calibre panel discussion, Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) President Foglar once again denounced the strangling policy of austerity carried out on the backs of employees as being the completely wrong recipe. Argumentative support also came from representatives of two renowned Brussels think-tanks.]]>  AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, and the ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, would like to cordially invite you to the panel discussion:]]>  Employees are always hit hardest when a company undergoes restructuring. Since the outbreak of the economic crisis, more than 5,400 cases of major restructuring took place in the 27 EU states - with a loss of about 1.8 million jobs. An end to this trend is not in sight and not expected. On the contrary: the trend is likely to continue. However, voices within the EU demanding that restructuring has to be more regulated, i.e. has to involve all participants, are becoming louder. This demand is supported by the Austrian Trade Union Federation, Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour and the European Trade Union Confederation.]]>  The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), and the Brussels offices of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB-Europabüro) and the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA) cordially invite you to the following panel discussion.]]>  This week, during a discussion event in Brussels on the Common European Sales Law, the Federal Chamber of Labour and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce agreed: the draft text on the Common European Sales Law results in legal uncertainty for small and medium-sized enterprises; improvements for users of the Regulation are difficult to detect. This opinion was also supported by MEP Evelyne Gebhardt, co-rapporteur on the Common European Sales Law. Naturally, Dirk Staudenmayer, the Commission official in charge of this regulation proposal, did not agree. He is convinced that all users will benefit from the Common European Sales Law.]]>  AK EUROPA, the Brussels office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, cordially invites you to the following panel discussion:]]>  An exciting and varied discussion event, organised by the Brussels offices of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB), the Swedish Trade Unions and the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA) examined the question whether the Package on Posting of Workers by the EU Commission provides effective protection for posted workers against wage and social dumping. Most participants agreed that the proposals are not far-reaching enough, and that they leave too much scope for abuse. Hence, improvements are urgently required and need to be vigorously introduced by both EU Parliament and Council.]]>  The Brussels offices of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB), the Swedish Trade Unions and the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA) cordially invite you to the following panel discussion:]]>  ÖGB President Erich Foglar and Luxembourg's Minister for Labour, Employment and Immigration Nicolas Schmit agreed: the one-sided liberalisation and flexibilisation in the EU since the 80ies has driven Europe with its back to the wall and seriously endangers the European project. What the EU really needed was the increased coordination of economic, employment and social policy and a strong integration of the social partners. A year after the ETUC Congress in Athens, Foglar and Schmit discussed in Brussels the perspectives for a Social Europe in the Crisis. The debate signalled the start of our new series of discussions “Trade Unions in Dialogue“.]]>  This was the motto of an event organised by AK EUROPA and the European Offices of the Austrian Trade Union Federation ÖGB and the German Trade Union Confederation DGB. The aim was to scrutinise and critically review the recently published White Paper on Pensions of the EU Commission. All participants agreed that the labour market is vital for achieving core pension objectives and that more attention had been paid to it in the White Paper. They also agreed that the focus on demography is to narrow. The White Paper provides positive starting points for a reorientation, which now had to be put into practice.]]>  Last week, AK EUROPA and the European Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation ÖGB, supported by the Lobbying Transparency Initiative ALTER-EU, hosted a high-calibre discussion event on the subject of lobbying in Brussels. The bottom line is that little has changed in respect of the overwhelming supremacy of business lobbyists in Brussels. This was also emphasised by a new study commissioned by the AK, which clearly shows the disparity of force between industrial lobbyists and labour representatives.]]>  AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, and the ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, with the support of ALTER-EU, cordially invite you to a panel discussion on]]>  After a brief state of shock, during which several billion Euro of public money were pumped into financial institutes to prevent them from going bust, some managers, politicians and media are now accusing the public sector: society had lived beyond its means and spent too much money – for the welfare state. Invited panelists and an engaged audience discussed the causes of the crisis at EU level and whether or who has lived beyond their means.]]>  It has by now become a Brussels institution: the traditional New Year reception of the European offices of the Austrian Labour organisations AK and ÖGB, which this week took place for the seventh time. Met by a full house at the Permanent Representation of Austria, the Presidents of ÖGB and AK and their guests of honour expressed their concern about the current political situation in Europe.]]>  The Committee of the Regions last week hosted the conference and event concerning the important and topical issue of “Social services”. Together with the Austrian Association of Municipalities and of Cities and Towns, AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour and the European Office of the Austrian Federation of Trade Unions ÖGB invited guests to analyse how expansion and better integration of social services at municipal and regional level could become one of the most effective instruments for reaching the ambitious Europe 2020 targets. Taking part in the interesting and exciting discussion were representatives from the European Parliament, the EU Commission, of science as well as labour representatives and trade unions.]]>  AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, the ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation and the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI), invite you cordially to the following panel discussion: ]]>  AK EUROPA, the Brussels office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, and the ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, cordially invite you to a panel discussion on]]>  There are currently ongoing negotiations between the EU and a number of third countries on bilateral trade agreements. Along with conventional debates on the dismantling of trade barriers, the European Commission is now considering to include public services in the negotiations. In the framework of a seminar, a study on these issues is to be presented while at the same time Commission proposals are to be critically discussed. ]]>  AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour and the ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, invite you cordially to the following panel discussion:]]>  AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour invites you to the following panel discussion:]]>  That energy is a future-oriented topic was confirmed by high-calibre representatives from trade unions and the EU institutions, who took part in a well-attended panel discussion, which had been organised by the Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation and AK Europa, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour. Against the background of the new energy policy targets of the “Europe 2020” Strategy, the dramatic events in Fukushima have also triggered a new debate on using nuclear energy in Europe, where the Member States until now had chosen different paths. The discussion concerning future priorities and challenges took place against the backdrop of safeguarding affordable energy for industry and private households and the security and democratic control of nuclear energy for employees and Citizens.]]>  After much toing and froing, the debate on the introduction of a European Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) seems to have moved into gear at last. For the first time, both Commission President Barroso and the responsible Tax Commissioner Šemeta publically supported a European FTT. The commitment of the citizens, of AK and ÖGB together with European trade unions, political groups and NGOs, who gave their support in three campaign waves, has been a major contribution. To crown it all, the Austrian labour representatives presented on the global day of action to introduce the FTT in Brussels, a brand new study, which had been commissioned by the AK that shows: the speculation tax is technically feasible; the frequently invoked flight of capital is only a hollow threatening phantom of the financial lobbyists.]]>  At the end of June, the European Commission will publish a proposal on the European Financial Framework from 2014 to be followed by a proposal on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in autumn. Against this background, AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour and the European Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation ÖGB this week invited to a panel discussion, during which the bestseller author Hans Weiss, applying conclusions from his book “Schwarzbuch Landwirtschaft“ [Black Book Agriculture], criticised the current agricultural policy in the European Union. The participation of the other panellists Georg Häusler, Head of Cabinet for the EU's Agricultural Commissioner Dacian Cioloş, the Agricultural Economist Univ. Prof. Stephan Cramon-Taubadel and the AK Expert for Agriculture Maria Burgstaller ensured a lively discussion. ]]>  The focus of the panel discussion, which was organised by the Brussels office of the Confederation of German Trade Unions, the Austrian Trade Union Federation and the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, was the opening up of the European labour markets, which has been scheduled for 1st May 2011. The subjects discussed included the experiences so far with transition periods, how Member States prepared for their discontinuation and what rules are required for free movement. There was agreement that wage and social dumping had to be prevented. Austria, where the Wage and Social Dumping Act will come into force on 1.5.2011, is well prepared.]]>  The European Union is at a stage of radical change: while it wants to implement plans for a European Economic Governance without delay, European Trade Unions are fiercly protesting against any actions trying to intervene into national wage policy. Meanwhile, the first “European Semester” requests even more harsh austerity programmes and flexible labour markets. In addition, mobilising labour markets shall create “new job oportunities”. Is Europe drawing the right lessons from the crisis? Or are we only taking yet another step in competing in lowering social standards at the expense of workers and employees?]]>  Last week, the Brussels offices of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA) and of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) organised a panel discussion on the subject of “Strengthening Consumer Protection in Financial Services”. During the financial and economic crisis ten thousands of investors in Austria alone lost part of their savings, some of them their entire life savings. Hence, the question was raised during the discussion whether sufficient measures would be taken at EU level to ensure that small investors would not suffer such losses again.]]>  AK EUROPA, the Brussels office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, and the ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, host the traditional New Year's Reception.]]>  A high calibre panel discussion on EU gender equality took place in Brussels this week. Viviane Reding, Vice President of the European Commission, Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek, Austrian Federal Minister for Women and Civil Service, Bibiana Aido Almagro, Spanish State Secretary for Equality, Eva-Britt Svensson, Member of the European Parliament and Alice Kundtner, Deputy Director of the Chamber of Labour of Vienna followed the invitation of the organisers AK EUROPA and the ÖGB Europabüro and presented an exciting discussion evening on a subject, to which Brussels circles should devote far more attention.]]>  “Europe has led the world by example in terms of gender equality by including the principle of equal pay for equal work into the Treaty of Rome in 1957." This statement was given by Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission, on the occasion of the adoption of the new strategy on gender equality this September. However, there is a lot more to the equal treatment of women and men: the participation of women in decision-making and the reconciliation of work and family life are also important principles. But in spite of the pioneering role of the EU, there is still a need for action regarding its practical implementation. This new strategy shall open up new paths to achieve the gender equality objective.]]>  On 19th October 2010, the Commission published a Communication on the EU budget review, thereby officially opening the debates on the future of the EU Financial framework. For that reason, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour together with the European Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation ÖGB organised a panel discussion on the "EU multiannual financial framework 2014+ from the point of view of labour organisations". At the event, the MEP Jutta Haug, Stefan Lehner, Director, European Commission, Directorate-General for Budget as well as Labour representatives from Germany, France, Sweden, Austria and the European Trade Union Confederation informed on their position with regard to the EU budget.]]>  This week, AK EUROPA, the Brussels office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour and the Brussels office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) invited to a Lunch Debate. The discussion focussed on considerations concerning further EU minimum standards in labour law. The basis of the discussion was a study of the Chamber of Labour Vienna, which was conducted by Univ. Prof. Dr. Rebhahn and presented for the first time in Brussels. The opinions, whether initiatives for minimum standards were always promising, were divided, even if they were by all means conceivable. The trade union pledged clear support to expand European Labour law. ]]>  As far back as 2007, the EU Commission reached the conclusion within the scope of the Public Consultation on the Commission's Green Paper 'Modernising labour law' that in view of the challenges of the 21st century a discussion on improving labour law would be required. So far, this debate has been overshadowed by the financial and economic crisis. Now the issue of further developing European labour law is more relevant than ever. ]]>  In the aftermath of the most serious financial and economic crisis in 80 years, most Member States of the European Union are struggling with high budget deficits, which has triggered a discussion on how national budgets can be consolidated. The opinion of researchers and experts is divided: whilst one group wants to focus on spending cuts, the others regard an increase in taxes as another way to consolidate national budgets. ]]>  That was the slightly provocative title of the high level Round Table discussion that the Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation ÖGB and the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour AK had organised at the Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU. This obviously touched on a sensitive issue, given the fact that during the day about 100,000 European Trade union members demonstrated in Brussels against the unsocial austerity policy in the EU. The economic governance package, which was presented by the Commission on the same day, clearly demonstrated that the EU Commission is obviously not willing to consider the interests of workers. ]]>  AK Europa, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour and the European Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation ÖGB in Brussels this week invited to a highly topical and exciting discussion on the Green Paper on Pensions. The issue at the centre of this discussion was as to how the future of adequate, secure and sustainable pensions could be guaranteed. In particular the financial and economic crisis requires that this subject is dealt with in earnest.]]>  By presenting the Green Paper on Pensions, the European Commission initiates a Europe-wide public discussion on the important questions as to how adequate, sustainable and safe pensions can be guaranteed and how the EU can best support national efforts. The start of the discussion, however, does not appear to be a great success: the media response on the presentation of the Green Paper concentrated mainly on raising retirement age to 70 years.]]>  This week, a study about social standards in bilateral Free trade agreements, which was commissioned by AK Vienna from the Ludwig-Boltzmann Institute for Human Rights, was presented to the public in the European Parliament. To begin with, the two study authors Karin Lukas and Astrid Steinkellner explained their considerations on social standards in the so-called sustainability chapters in bilateral trade agreements.]]>  The European Commission has created a new generation of bilateral trade and investment agreements within the course of the “Global Europe” strategy. These agreements are strongly criticised in international discussions by some within the civil society. A number of NGOs demand a moratorium of the “Global Europe”  agenda and a comprehensive revision of the trade and investment policy, also with regard to a more democratic structure of the negotiation process.]]>  The developing lack of unity with regard to the competitiveness of the states within the Eurozone has put a severe strain on the common currency. Rather than developing a political mechanism, which could counteract this unequal economic development, the European Union is concentrating on the consolidation of the public budgets. What impact this will have on the economic development of the Eurozone and subsequently on the entire EU, is discussed by Achim Truger of the Macroeconomic Policy Institute at the Hans-Böckler Foundation, Georg Busch of the Directorate-General for Economics and Financial Affairs to the European Commission, MEP Liem Hoang Ngoc of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Günther Chaloupek, Head of the Economic Science Department at AK Vienna and Michael Dauderstädt of the German Friedrich-Ebert Foundation.]]>  For more than one year now we are in a deep financial and economic crisis. The social consequences are mainly felt by vulnerable groups which are already threatened by marginalisation from the labour market and social exclusion.]]>  Should the self-employed be exempt from the Road Transport (Working Time) Directive? Europe's Labour representatives are up in arms about this: they fear that self-employed drivers might work in excess of 80 hours and could therefore pose a risk to road safety. They are also concerned that this might exert further pressure on drivers under employment contract to switch to “pseudo self-employment”. The Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour in Brussels, AK EUROPA, and the European Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, ÖGB, have therefore taken the opportunity of holding a panel discussion on 28th April, when voting on the Directive proposal will take place in the European Parliament.]]>  Do economic interests always have to overshadow fair employment conditions? May they even conflict with road security across Europe? Under these circumstances, do we really want to have a harmonisation at any cost?]]>  Acting like fire fighters, the European governments provided billions to save their banks from bankruptcy. Who must now pay the price for the most serious economic crisis in the history of the European Union, is a different matter altogether. The banks grandly avoid the issue; the now discussed German proposal for a bank levy reminds of a better kind of handout. AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour and the European Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) therefore invited representatives of the EU institutions and Think Tanks to a discussion on the subject  “Who pays for the crisis - Is Europe ready for a Financial Transaction Tax, Bank Levy and Bonus Tax” in the Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU. Unfortunately, bank representatives were not prepared to comment on this issue...]]>