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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.

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

Next

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Revisiting worker representation on boards

Board-level employee representation (BLER) has repeatedly resurfaced in times of crisis — from the 2008 financial crash to the Covid-19 pandemic — as a response to mismanagement and democratic erosion. Yet codetermination remains unevenly spread across the EU and underdeveloped within EU industrial relations. This ETUI volume revisits worker representation on company boards by shifting the focus beyond the usual German-centred lens and exploring debates, practices and social partners’ positions in ten often-overlooked EU Member States, to assess the prospects for such an institution to thrive in national social policy.

READ HERE

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Mental Health
Eurofound Talks: Europe's productivity paradox

This episode of the Eurofound Talks podcast looks at why Europe has experienced a more profound slowdown in growth compared to other developed regions, and why greater labour input and higher human capital has not translated into higher output per worker. Mary McCaughey and John Hurley also discuss whether Europe can, and should, look to compete with countries such as the United States and China in the race to harness artificial intelligence.
LISTEN HERE

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Progressive Post Issues

With the volatile start to 2026, what insights can progressives learn from 2025? The 7th edition of the Progressive Yearbook is out now!
In this edition of the Progressive Yearbook, we offer analyses of the EU’s domestic issues—ranging from defense and digital autonomy to what remains of the previous Commission’s Green Deal—as well as global questions such as international trade, tariffs, and the emerging new world order.

READ THE PROGRESSIVE YEARBOOK

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WSI Report

WSI Minimum Wage Report 2025

The trend towards significant nominal minimum wage increases is continuing this year. In view of falling inflation rates, this translates into a sizeable increase in purchasing power for minimum wage earners in most European countries. Most EU countries are now following the reference values for adequate minimum wages enshrined in the European Minimum Wage Directive, which are 60% of the median wage or 50% of the average wage.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

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Cohesion Policy

S&D Position Paper on Cohesion Policy post-2027: a resilient future for European territorial equity

Cohesion Policy seeks to foster balanced development and reduce economic, social, and territorial disparities, focusing on rural areas, regions in industrial transition, and those with severe or permanent natural or demographic disadvantages, including outermost, sparsely populated, island, cross-border, and mountain regions.

READ THE PAPER HERE

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🇪🇺 Building a Resilient, Equitable EU Health Union: The S&D Blueprint


From securing pharmaceutical autonomy and guaranteeing universal access to care (the European Health Guarantee) to combatting non-communicable diseases and closing the Gender Health Gap. Read the S&D Group in the European Parliament Position Paper demanding that health becomes a priority across all EU policies.

READ THE POSITION PAPER

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