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Avatar photoEsther Lynch

Esther Lynch was elected general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation in December 2022. She has extensive trade union experience at Irish, European and international levels, starting with her election as a shop steward in the 1980s.

Higher Interest Rates Punish Workers for a Crisis They Did Not Cause

Esther Lynch

As central banks squeeze households, corporations protect their margins — and the European social model pays the price.

The European elections: the right lessons to learn

Esther Lynch

There remains a democratic majority in the European Parliament to tackle the economic and social insecurity fuelling populism.

A warning to Scrooges: cut long working hours

Esther Lynch

A right to disconect, collective bargaining and public procurement are the levers to reduce excessive working hours.

The shadow of austerity—and authoritarianism

Esther Lynch

European trade unions are mobilising today in Brussels against the austerity which would follow reimplanted fiscal rules.

Europe needs a social compass

Esther Lynch, Nicola Countouris and Philippe Pochet

Europe is undergoing multiple transitions. For these to succeed, social dialogue to build consensus will be essential.

A message for May Day: come together, win change

Esther Lynch

Workers are under tremendous pressure amid the cost-of-living crisis. But trade unions are showing resilience to inspire.

Trade unions on the frontline in the cost-of-living crisis

Esther Lynch

Defending workers' living standards has become trade unions' primary concern.

The courage to change

Esther Lynch and Bruno Bobone

Europe’s trade union and Christian business leaders appeal jointly for a new economic and social order after the pandemic.

A ‘vision zero’ goal for accidents at work

Eva Nordmark, Peter Hummelgaard, Johan Danielsson, Marianne Vind, Manuel Pizarro and Esther Lynch

There are no acceptable levels of workplace fatalities—a focus on prevention is needed.

Time to put an end to union-busting

Esther Lynch

Trade union rights are human rights and must be protected in EU law.

Fair wages are key to Europe’s recovery

Esther Lynch

Ensuring a high wage floor in the EU is not just the right thing to do to lift the low paid but is integral to recovery from the pandemic.

Making work fit for workers after Covid-19

Esther Lynch

The welfare state sought to protect workers from labour-market risks. After Covid-19, reduced working time and greater autonomy must be on the agenda.

How digitalisation must be harnessed to save jobs

Esther Lynch

A framework agreement between the social partners should ensure job security and worker involvement are prioritised across the European Union.

Calling time on violence against women in the workplace

Esther Lynch

On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, over 50 female union leaders urge stronger action by the incoming European Commission.

Tackling insecure work in Europe—a critical moment

Esther Lynch

The good news is that employment in the EU is at a record high. The bad news is that so much of it is insecure work—and a directive currently in train needs to be tough enough to fix that.

Trade Unions On Frontline In Battle Against Inequality

Esther Lynch

The European Commission continues to talk about robust recovery, but with wages falling or stagnating, many people in Europe are worse off than they were

If Europe Takes Trade Union Rights For Granted… We Risk Losing Them

Esther Lynch

Why, in 2016, has the European Trade Union Confederation found it necessary to start ringing alarm bells in defence of basic trade union rights in

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New Edition - Social policy in the European Union: state of play 2025

Can Europe preserve its distinctive social model while simultaneously rearming, reindustrialising, and reorganising its economy in a more conflictual and competitive world? This is the central question raised in this new edition of the Bilan social, a reference publication released every spring for more than 25 years by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) and the European Social Observatory (OSE).

READ HERE
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Is financial resilience and trust in Europe faltering?

In this episode of Eurofound Talks, host Mary McCaughey and senior researcher Eszter Sandor unpack the results of the 2025 Living and Working in the EU e-survey. While headline inflation has stabilised at 2.1%, the data reveals a continent gripped by chronic precariousness, with 57% of respondents now at risk of depression. Mary and Eszter explore how this economic insecurity is impacting institutional trust and democratic engagement.

LISTEN HERE
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Read the book "The open future and its enemies" 

A robust democracy must not leave the future in the hands of the alliance between Big Tech and the far right. AI must be politically reined in and democratically shaped so that humanity retains its sovereignty.

Artificial intelligence is regarded as the driving force of progress. Yet it has long since become a challenge to democracy. The book argues that uncontrolled AI will erode our freedom, self-determination and democracy.

READ THE BOOK
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WSI Minimum Wage Report 2026

Minimum wage policy across Europe has shifted significantly, with many EU countries raising wages above average and anchoring them to adequate living standards. This trend is consolidating as countries increasingly adopt the reference values recommended in the European Minimum Wage Directive — recently upheld by the European Court of Justice.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT
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S&D Africa Days 2026

We are pleased to invite you to save the date for the S&D Africa Days 2026, taking place on 30 June and 1 July 2026, in Brussels. 

At a time when Africa is too often viewed through narrow and one-sided narratives, this initiative reflects a key political priority for the S&D Group: to advance a renewed, forward-looking partnership of equals between Europe and Africa based on equality, solidarity, social justice and shared progress. 

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“What is the actual purpose of the state?” – this central question is the focus of the analysis. At a time when bureaucratic processes are making life difficult for citizens, the paper proposes a three-part model. It aims at a conception of the state as a platform that helps society build the capabilities it needs to address its problems effectively.

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