|
September-December 2025
|
|
Highlight from the Last
EFFAT Executive Committee
The last EFFAT ExCo in November addressed key political, sectoral, and organisational priorities through updates from the Secretariat, affiliates, and the IUF. The meeting highlighted the EFFAT push for an EU Directive on Subcontracting and Intermediaries with contributions from high-level EU guests.
|
On the Streets
Celebrating World Day of
Decent Work
On 7 October, World Day of Decent Work, EFFAT and trade unionists from across Europe came together in Vienna to deliver one clear message: decent work for all workers in Europe. On this occasion, we launched our video on the need to #ParkTheOmnibus as it is headed on a road to nowhere, risking U-turning on key legislation that protects workers’ rights and the environment.
|
|
EFFAT Unites with 14,000 in Brussels to Oppose the Belgian "Arizona" Government
EFFAT joined its Belgian affiliates taking to the street in Brussels on 14 October to oppose the Arizona government in Belgium, whose plans rely on austerity and cutting social services and pension schemes.
|
Stop the Criminalisation Law
On behalf of the International Domestic Workers Federation, Grace Papa joined the demonstration “Stop de Criminaliseringswet!” (Stop the Criminalisation Law) organised by EFFAT affiliate FNV Vakbond Migrant Domestic Workers.
Together with hundreds of workers, activists, and allies, we raised our voices against the criminalisation of migrant and undocumented workers.
|
|
Back to Our Future:
A March Against Omnibus
On 21 September, EFFAT joined the #BackToTheFuture March from Maastricht to Brussels and stood strong at the final rally at Rond-Point Schuman with our NGO and CSO allies to demand our current EU legislators to bring back social rights and environmental protection as the EU leading priority.
|
|
#NoContractNoCoffee: Solidarity with Starbucks Workers
EFFAT joined the action in Brussels with EPSU to show solidarity to the 2,500 Starbucks workers striking in the US for their right to collectively bargain and decent working conditions.
|
In the EU
EU Quality Jobs Roadmap Paves the Way to More Protection for Workers
On 5 December, the European Commission published the Quality Jobs Roadmap and Act. The documents mark progress on tackling abusive subcontracting and strengthening labour inspections, key demands long advocated by EFFAT with the publication of our Model Directive.
EFFAT commits to actively shaping upcoming initiatives to secure stronger, binding protections for all workers according to our recent Model Directive.
|
|
CSDDD: Far-Right & EPP Alliance Pushes Through a Weakened Omnibus Package, Putting Fundamental Rights Aside
In November, the political group of the European People’s Party (EPP) made the decision to partner with Far-Right forces in the European Parliament to adopt a reactionary position on the Commission’s Omnibus proposal, excluding 90% of original in-scope companies of the CSDDD and removing its key elements such as civil liability. A Trilogue negotiation has come to a Sustainability Deal that sides with corporations over workers and the planet, gutting accountability and leaving communities exposed to exploitation and environmental harm.
|
New CAP Architecture Hides Dangerous Threats for Agricultural Workers
As the EU Commission proposed the CAP post-2027, EFFAT criticised the proposal for weak budgets, diluted goals, and failure to strengthen labour standards. We also stressed that exemptions for small farms and weakened sanctions undermine social conditionality and worker protection. During the adoption of the CAP simplification package, some amendments sought to remove Social Conditionality under the pretext of reducing administrative burden and simplifying procedures.
|
|
Time for Public Procurement Rules that Promote Quality Jobs
EFFAT and FoodServiceEurope, representing workers and employers in the European contract catering sector, launched a Joint Position on the Revision of the EU Public Procurement Directives. The document was presented at a European Parliament event hosted by MEP Gabriele Bischoff (DE, S&D): "From the Lowest Price to Best Value in Contract Catering". The event gathered MEPS, trade unionists, companies and workers.
|
|
EWC Directive: Vote Brings Us Closer to Truly Effective EWCs
This October, the European Parliament and the EU Council adopted a position that will deliver key improvements for the European Works Council (EWC) Directive as well as for millions of people working in transnational companies across Europe and their trade union representatives. EFFAT has shared an initial analysis of the meaningful changes for our EWCs and will continue to provide guidance and assistance as the Directive is transposed across countries and takes effect in the coming years.
|
EU-US (Unbalanced) Trade Deal: European Agri-Food Workers Bear the Burden Amid Lack of Fairness and Reciprocity
EFFAT voiced deep concerns about the EU–US Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade.
The recently released joint declaration validates these concerns, highlighting that Europe’s agri-food sector, and the millions of workers it employs, may be at serious risk.
|
|
EU Tax Plans: A Blow to Tobacco Workers
The European Commission released a proposal for a revision of the Tobacco Excise Directive (TED); this in a move to generate own resources to the EU budget.
While EFFAT supports EU public health goals, we reiterate that such changes cannot ignore the impact on thousands of workers in the sector whose livelihoods are at risk.
|
|
A New Guiding Framework to Recognise Domestic Workers
EFFAT has launched a landmark Guiding Framework to formalise domestic work in Europe, ensuring decent working conditions, fair wages, and full labour rights. Drawing on successful models from Belgium, Italy, Austria, France, and Sweden, the Framework outlines key steps for recognition, professionalisation, and affordability.
|
In the Workplace
EFFAT Leads Coordination Calls and EWC Meetings
Over the past 10 months, specific calls have been organised for EFFAT affiliates with membership in Mc Donald’s, Princess, Plukon, Cargill, Unilever, Frosta, AB InBev, Andros/Eker, Heineken, Nestlé, MOWI, Danish Crown, Kellanova, and Just Eat Takeaway.
EFFAT is involved in the negotiation and renegotiation of EWC agreements. Our staff took part in several EWC meetings, incl. Coca Cola Europacific Partners, Intersnack, Cargill, Bonduelle, Heineken, LDC, Sodexo, Elior, Philip Morris, Compass, Mondelez, SSP and Radisson Hotel.
The Secretariat supports the establishment of new EWCs in Just Eat Takeaway, Greenyard, Puratos, Frosta, Andros, Clarebout, Greenyard, Pierre et Vacaces, NH Hotel, and Avolta.
EFFAT is also very active providing solidarity to affiliates in specific fights (e.g. Clarebout, JDE Peet’s Andrézieux, Schreiber Foods, Just Eat Takeaway, and Nestlé).
|
|
|
Nestlé Workers and Their Trade Unions Denounce Job Cuts
European trade unions, coordinated by EFFAT and IUF, met urgently after Nestlé announced 16,000 job cuts, mainly in Europe.
They condemned the scale of layoffs as unacceptable, urged the company to prioritize people over profit and demanded to engage in genuine dialogue.
|
TNC Conference in Barcelona
EFFAT held its annual TNC conference in Barcelona in October. The programme covered key strategic and policy updates, including training on the CSDDD amid current political challenges and discussions on transnational company work, restructuring, and gender equality.
It also addressed preparations for revising the European Works Council Directive and presented EFFAT’s new Code of Conduct on restructurings and Resolution on Financialisation .
The meeting served as a platform for solidarity, expressing strong support for affiliates and workers facing restructurings and struggles across Europe. (i.e. Nestlé Waters, Lieferando, Eker, JDE).
|
|
Just Eat Takeaway: Mass Redundancies at German Subsidiary Lieferando
EFFAT strongly reacted after the decision of Lieferando, the JET subsidiary in Germany to close operations in 34 German cities and reduce activities in 11 others, resulting in around 2,000 couriers (20% of the workforce) being made redundant. It has denounced the company’s plan to replace direct labour with subcontracted workers as already done in France and Austria.
EFFAT is putting pressure on MEPs and the European Commission to ensure the swift implementation of the EU Platform Work Directive and support for a binding initiative on abusive subcontracting practices.
EFFAT and ETF recently met with JET's central management in Amsterdam to discuss restructuring in Germany and Austria and concerns about other countries.
|
In the Media
Want to know more?
|
|
|
