The Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB Europabüro), the Austrian Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA) and the Central European Trade Union Network (CETUN) jointly organised an event focusing on the EU enlargement policy titled “It’s Time for Social Integration – How to Build up Social Dialogue in the Western Balkans.”

21 member organisations of the European Alliance for a Just Transition have signed a joint letter on an EU policy framework for just transition, with the aim of putting the issue more centre stage in the next EU policy cycle. The letter was sent on 11 March to the relevant ministers and to the Permanent Representatives of the Member States to the EU. They are called on to raise the ambition of the forthcoming Environment Council Conclusions and other relevant decisions in the coming months.

The European Pillar of Social Rights includes 20 principles in the fields of equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions as well as social protection and inclusion.

The European Pillar of Social Rights contains 20 principles in the areas of equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions as well as social protection and inclusion. It was solemnly proclaimed in 2017 and has since established itself as a compass for EU social policy and as an important reference in other EU policy areas.

The proposal for a Regulation on the European Health Data Space is currently being negotiated in trilogue between the EU Parliament, the Council and the EU Commission. AK EUROPA, together with trade unions and other organisations advocating for the digital rights of patients, healthcare professionals, consumers and employees, has sent an open letter to the trilogue negotiators. They are called upon to respect the fundamental rights of European patients.

On 31 January 2024, the European Trade Union Confederation, the European employers' organisations, the European Commission and the Belgian Council Presidency met at Val Duchesse Castle in Brussels for a Social Partners' Summit. As part of the European social model, social dialogue plays a key role in shaping the ecological and digital transformation of the world of work in a fair way.

For some years now, the EU has been severely affected by massive crises: the worst pandemic in more than a hundred years, the worst military aggression on European territory in 80 years owing to Russia's attack on Ukraine, the biggest energy crisis since the 1970s, the highest inflation rate since the euro was created, geopolitical upheavals and, as a result, refugee movements to the EU and a constantly worsening climate crisis. This accumulation of crises is having a significant impact on the EU budget, which requires appropriate adjustments.

In November 2023, the EU Parliament has adopted its position on the Forced Labour Regulation proposed by the EU Commission, followed by the Council in January 2024. Trilogue negotiations will begin shortly. Together with civil society organisations and trade unions, AK EUROPA points out in this open letter essential elements that the proposed regulation should contain in order to effectively combat forced labour.

The Brussels Office of the Austrian Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA), the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), Social Platform, Solidar, and the European Policy Centre (EPC) jointly organised the event “The European Pillar of Social Rights. Turning principles into practice”.