# # # # # # # # # EZA NEWS # EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR WORKERS´ QUESTIONS • NO. 1 / 2019

EDITORIAL

triumphant day on which the United king tragedy, we must not doomfully Kingdom – after 46 years of members- prophesise the downfall of democracy hip – wanted to cast off the shackles of straight away. However, nor should we the EU, towards a new glorious national be surprised if in the coming European future. In some other EU member states, elections even more people turn away populist neo-national parties are on the with horror from this disgraceful specta- same track. When this newsletter appe- cle and the EU. It looks like a tragi- ars in early April, there will presumably comic ray of hope that, triggered off by have been an agreement on a deferral 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, children of Brexit, and so more months of uncer- and teenagers are now taking to the tainty. The drama the mother country of streets the world over for more climate parliamentary democracy has provided protection and reminding adults of their Dear Readers, in the last three years cannot be surpas- responsibility. sed in the irresponsibility by the politi- It is up to us to show in the European Two years ago, nine months after the cal players. From the outset, the agenda elections in late May that Europe is Brexit referendum, the British Prime was set not by political creative drive grown up! Minister Theresa May applied in but by manipulation and destruction, Brussels to leave the EU. The 29th opportunistic power politics and party- Sigrid Schraml March 2019 was supposed to be the political intrigues. In light of the shok- Secretary-General

Interview with Luc Van den Brande, new President of the European Centre for Workers’ Questions (EZA)

Luc, you were elected EZA President by I already knew EZA from reports and this change. EZA has to focus on all of the EZA General Assembly on 24 publications. But it was even more this in its analyses, seminars, conferences Novem ber 2018. How are you after the through personal contacts in the social and in its discussion process. first months in office? movements because of my longstanding European commitment that I knew what What would you as EZA President like In the first contacts with our members EZA stood for. I was certainly a new face to achieve in the next four years? during the General Assembly in Bucha - for many members, but for my part I saw rest I felt strongly they were very concer- many faces familiar to me again. In recent years, EZA has come a long way ned about the challenges that workers and made many efforts as a network of face. Many conversations have helped me What in your opinion are the biggest and with quality. We have to carry on understand EZA’s mission better. In the challenges for EZA in the next few building on this foundation. But new last few months, it has become evident to years? priorities are shaping up: a cross-sectoral me how fascinating our network is and approach, raising our impact on how large the commitment supported by We are living in unusual times in a glo- European society, addressing not only a very dynamic team. In the meantime, bally changing complex world in which it insiders but also people interested in our I’ve had several meetings with Piergior - is often hard to feel safe where we are. views, finding links with the local levels, gio, Norbert and Sigrid to work out the People feel that many things are slipping focusing our discussions on topical major aspirations together, and I atten- away from their control. This causes a events, concentrating on young people ded the European Social Week in . I loss of trust. This trust can only grow that have no work, and on the quality of have a good feeling about going to work back if we become aware that we have to the working conditions of those who with renewed vigour. In a word: “Back to do things together. If we build a society have work, tailored communication inclu- my roots”. based on shared values and objectives. A ding digital channels, collaboration with society that champions peace and securi- other stakeholders. Feed the debate from For many of our members you were a ty; that makes people stronger and educa- our seminars and put it onto the political new face. When did you actually encoun- tes them to dialogue in a growing inter- agenda: more prosperity, more welfare ter EZA for the first time? cultural context in which everyone has and decent work for everyone. In a nuts- his/her place. The digital revolution, robo- hell, make EZA even more relevant. tics and artificial intelligence are part of EZA NEWS Page 2

What music do you like most?

Johannes Sebastian Bach’s passions, can- tatas and cello concertos still move me, they are timeless and connect heaven and earth. The small Romantic in me also makes me enthuse about the overtures and nocturnes of Frederic Chopin.

What would you take with you to a desert island?

My wife, my memories and… a pair of binoculars. Questions: Victoria Znined I

How do you regard Europe today just mainstay for our three children and chil- before the coming European elections? dren-in-law. And, of course, we are proud What must happen in your opinion to of our six grandchildren: like all grand- create a truly social Europe? dads and grandmas we think they are unique and fantastic. This year the Europeans can elect the My wife was a language teacher for a European Parliament. Unfortunately, we while, and also turned this into her volun- saw in the last parliamentary elections tary work by giving refugees language that many voters made no use of their lessons. She threw herself into a broader right to vote. It is essential, though, that social honorary office and she taught everyone, especially every worker, takes a catechesis in the parish. Together with view and casts his/her vote. It’s even friends we give our time to a centre for more important now, as populists and disabled children. Over all the years my extremists are currently emerging who wife has been my most loyal, as well as are jeopardising and endangering the most critical supporter and ensured I democratic content of the union. They kept my feet on the ground, which was exploit issues like social inequality, inse- sometimes necessary. curity and fear, and try to win over voters with disinformation. There’s a lot at What are your hobbies? stake, and we must therefore be vigilant. Only then can we be sure that the social I have never had much time for hobbies. initiatives of EU Commission President I like walking and think I can take nice Juncker and in particular EU Com- photos (although others are not always missioner Marianne Thyssen continue to convinced). take shape with the backing of the European Parliament and the Council. What book can you recommend? The concrete implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, which is John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” is based on solidarity, is just as vital as a still a unique book for me: even today, drive for genuine social dialogue. facing the challenge of refugees and migrants, it holds up a mirror to man’s Would you like to tell us something eternal search for a better life. about your family? Recently I really enjoyed reading “The Eight Mountains” and “Il ragazzo selvati- As a child I grew up in a family with a co” by Paolo Cognetti, pure stories about great deal of societal commitment. In my the interaction between man and nature. own family my wife has always been the EZA NEWS Page 3

EZA seminar in Bucharest: the Future of Work – 100 years of ILO

o make a contribution to the The recently published report from the The significance of the ILO even 100 100th anniversary of the Inter - Global Commission on the Future of years after its foundation was emphasi- T natio nal Labour Organisation Work commissioned by the ILO was pres- sed and it was stressed that trade unions (ILO) was the aim of the seminar in ented, and there followed a discussion in – despite the non-binding nature of the Bucharest on the “Future of Work”, held which the corresponding challenges were ILO conventions – had many instruments in collaboration between Cartel Alfa and described and possible solutions propo- at their disposal to champion workers’ EZA with the involvement of ACTRAV sed. The report describes in particular rights effectively worldwide. (Bureau for Workers’ Activities) from 4 to what efforts are required to put humans The outcome of the seminar includes a 6 February 2019. and the work performed by them at the Declaration, which acknowledges the fin- The participants exchanged ideas on the heart of social and economic policy and dings of this report and urges us to help political and economic general conditions of entrepreneurial action. In this regard create a better future – as the title of the of the future world of work in a global the importance of human skills is high- report reflects. Sigrid Schraml I context and discussed what values reli- lighted and the necessity of investing in gious communities thought should play strengthening the institutions of work as an important part in organising work in well as in decent and sustainable work is the future. presented.

Challenging times for work and social dialogue

he 7th European Social Week (ESW) took place in Milan from T 14 to 16 February 2019. More than 100 participants from 21 European coun- tries addressed the great social, economic and societal challenges facing Europe for which realistic solutions must be found.

To start, the Chair of the “Notre Europe” institute and former Prime Minister of , Enrico Letta, gave a synopsis of the current political situation in Europe.

EU Commissioner Marianne Thyssen said in a video message: “With our European Pillar of Social Rights we have put social matters at the top of the European agenda. (…) Our societies face rapid changes. Globalisation, climate change, demographic changes, migration and digitisation - we cannot stop these From left to right: Paolo Cesana, Managing Director of FLC, Luc Van den Brande, President of EZA, Claude Rolin, Member of the developments. But we should not submit European Parliament, Herbert Metzger, President of the ESW, Carlo Costalli, President of MCL, Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of to them passively. We must shape these Italy and President of Notre Europe, Massimiliano Sabbadini, President of FLC changes – be the architects of our own in order to recruit employees with profi- question: “Will we still have work for eve- future.” les that fit the new technologies better, ryone?” John Hurley, Research Manager because they have not invested in trai- at Eurofound, answered this question The Member of the European Parliament ning with regard to the prospects of these with a whole series of statistics and figu- Claude Rolin, former Secretary-General of changes”. res. He explained that “the level of the Belgian Confederation of Christian employment and working hours perfor- Trade Unions ACV-CSC, said: “Workers’ Transformation of work in the med in Europe and the USA has never organisations have a special role when it been as high as now”. The second focus comes to making the anticipation of future addressed the topic “The Future of Work” changes a key part of their negotiations. with an input from Emmanuel Agius of The topic of lifelong learning must be at This first content block of the ESW con- the University of . Agius highligh- the heart of this, as it is not acceptable for tained three focal topics. The first focus ted the ethical aspects of work: “It is not companies to lay off a part of their staff was the search for an answer to the the technologies themselves, it is our soci- EZA NEWS Page 4

al, financial and economic policy and nation levels often do not exist or vary in my. As a start, though, two of the 20 prin- practices that determine what technolo- approach and tradition. The lack of a con- ciples of the European Pillar of Social gies can and should do, whether inequali- structive dialogue tradition with repre- Rights can be put into practice: principle ties increase or decrease, and if people sentative workers’ organisations makes 14 on the minimum income combined can live off their wage.” The third focal collective coordination very difficult. Yet with principle 6 relating to an adequate topic was introduced by Elke Hannack, between the lines of this debate there is a minimum wage.” Vice President of the Confederation of palpable positive motivation not to give Leo Pauwels, Honorary President EZA I German Trade Unions (DGB) and Vice up the struggle. Federal President of the CDA, who dealt with the impact of digitisation on new Growing inequality forms of work: “A domain that shows how much digitisation changes the world of work is the so-called platform economy. In the third content block, Antoine (…) we certainly know two things: it is the Hérouard, auxiliary bishop of Lille and form of ’work of the future’ which in Chair of the Social Committee of COME- every respect is different from a so-called CE, the Commission of the Bishops’ standard employment relationship.” Conferences of the European Union, stressed the necessity of greater equality, primarily in work, income, wealth and Social dialogue urgently required hence human prosperity.

This second session looked at the reality Bea Cantillion, Director of the Herman and importance of social dialogue. Five Deleeck Centre for Social Policy at the trade union representatives from University of Antwerp, presented an aca- Bulgaria, Poland, Spain, France and Italy demic analysis of the growing inequality under the leadership of Jan Van Peteghem with clear proposals for politicians with (HIVA/) debated the necessity of regard to drafting more efficient measu- giving fresh impetus to social dialogue, res in this area: “We must work simulta- both in their own country and on a neously in several areas: social security, European level. In most countries that is fair taxes, social investments, regulation not an easy task. The trade union coordi- of new forms of work and social econo-

Promote in-company learning

advice, if professional prospects develop as a result, if the learning times are inte- grated in the work process, if they are released for it or given financial assistan- ce. In companies it is hence necessary to create a new understanding of qualifica- tions and developing skills. Work organi- sation, on-the-job training and personnel development must be co-ordinated and enhanced.

What implementation steps this requires was the focus of a conference held by the Confederation of German Trade Unions Dr Jeff Bridgford, King’s College London, who supported the project with input on the topic, speaking at the final conference in Berlin (DGB) in November 2018. Together with n Europe we are confronted with a and foremost, this calls for better educa- European trade unions from Romania, fundamental change of work, econo- tion and support services to train workers Italy, Bulgaria, Latvia and , it was I my and society. Digitisation on the and the unemployed who have to keep up the culmination of a two-year project cal- one hand and climate change on the other with new and also increasing skills needs. led “SACADOS – Supporting Anticipation are propelling a radical technological In future, a good level of education over of Change and Development of Skills”. revolution in entire sectors that will entail the entire working life will be increasin- The project was managed by the DGB’s huge restructuring of production proces- gly important for secure professional training institute Berufsfortbildungswerk / ses and employment. Trade unions are development. bfw – Unternehmen für Bildung and it was committed to opening up the possibility financed by of high-quality gainful employment and Whether workers educate themselves funds. personal development for everyone. First depends quite significantly on if they get EZA NEWS Page 5

Building on the exchange of experience nel development. And what succeeds in At the end of the conference it was clear: of trade union partners and visits to com- one company may gladly be copied further training doesn’t happen by itself. panies in the countries, strategies were throughout the sector.” Anyone in any soapbox speech can go on developed on how in-company learning A toolkit was developed, geared to wor- about the great value of education. That is could be supported by trade union co- kers’ representatives in the companies: useless. What is needed are regulations, determination. works councils, shop stewards and also agreements and qualification collective learning mentors. They must be given agreements on training. European and At the conference, Elke Hannack, the assistance to take part in information, national recommendations were stipula- DGB Vice President, said: “The workers’ consultation and participation procedu- ted in the “Sofia Manifesto”. For more viewpoint must be of equal value in on- res in the company. information, go to: the-job training. It is about information, it www.bfw.de/gfw/forschung-und-projek- is about consultation and also about the The following topics are addressed in te/SACADOS involvement of the workers’ representati- this: Hans Ulrich Nordhaus, Head of the Europ - ves. It cannot just be about we trade ean Education Policy Unit at DGB I unions reacting when the management • The workers’ rights to further training regards training as necessary. We want to • Rights and opportunities of the compa- be informed beforehand and contribute ny representation of interests our ideas and demands. • Possible financing • Good arguments for further training We must come up with strategies to • Company examples of good practice expand further training. It begins with • Instruments for analysing the need for identifying the need for training in a further training firm, covers training measures for the workers, and ends in systematic person-

Focal topics of the EZA 2019 education programme

he topics of “Youth employment”, “Future of work – changing IMPRINT T labour relations” and “Health and # # # Published by safety at work” are the focus of the # European EZA European Centre for Workers’ Questions # Social European Centre for Workers’ (EZA) 2019 education programme. In # Dialogue # Questions addition, the topic “Strategies of # # Johannes-Albers-Allee 2 # European institutions” is being conti- 2019 53639 Königswinter nued, this year with the focus on “The Tel. +49 - 22 23 - 29 98 - 0 future of a social Europe – effects and Fax +49 - 22 23 - 29 98 - 22 prospects of the European Pillar of Social E-mail: [email protected] Rights and other social policies”. The spe- www.eza.org cial project for workers’ organisations in the Western Balkans is likewise being Editorial team continued. Sigrid Schraml (editor-in-chief), Matthias Homey, Norbert Klein, Other topics are “Integration of migrants Victoria Znined and refugees into the labour market”, PROGRAMME EDUCATIONAL Design and composition “Inclusive labour markets”, “Capacity HellaDesign, Emmendingen building”, the “Contribution of workers’ E-mail: [email protected] organisations to social justice in Europe” Photos and “Working and living in a digitised for workers’ organisations”, held from 4 EZA, Eddy Vanacker, DGB world”. to 5 April 2019 in Budapest/Hungary as part of the EZA special project for wor- Frequency of publication The detailed education programme is kers’ organisations in the Western Four issues a year available as of now on the EZA website. Balkans. Victoria Znined I This publication receives The first seminar is organised by MOSZ financial support from the (Munkástanácsok Országos Szövetsége) European Union. on “Enhancing communication strategies