ETF joins maritime industry statement on the application of EU Visa Code to seafarers Obtaining a valid visa to go on shore, is an important aspect of seafarers’ wellbeing. Shore leave is a right for every seafarer and after spending many nights onboard it is paramount for maintaining good health. When ships are in ports, seafarers should, therefore, be able to easily leave the ship regardless of their nationality. Existing procedures within the EU however often impede on time granting of visas to seafarers. This has a major impact on their mental health and wellbeing. ETF, therefore, calls on EU Member States to ensure the implementation of the Code is adequately applied to seafarers. News 17 Jan 2020
First CBA in the River Cruise Sector – smooth sailing ahead? ETF welcomes the CBA and acknowledges it as a first step in the right direction. Further positive changes are on their way as on November 7, the official negotiations for a European-wide agreement between IG River Cruise, European Barge Union (EBU) and ETF commenced. European Social Partners hope to reach a meaningful agreement by Autumn 2020. News 12 Nov 2019
Celebrating 20 Years of Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee & looking forward Railway social partners and the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) gathered with ETF for the annual plenary meeting of the Rail Sectoral Social Dialogue. Social partners negotiated their joint work programme for the next two years and agreed to focus on women’s employment and equal opportunities in the railway sector, ensuring railway safety in an open and competitive market, working and resting time rules, and employability in the light of digitalisation and automation. News 6 Nov 2019
ETF Fair Shipping Conference created momentum for real action in the EU shipping industry ETF presented its concept of a European maritime Space for Socially Sustainable Shipping to a wide range of high-level stakeholders at the Fair Shipping Conference on 5 November 2019 in Brussels. The Commission was called on to take action and consider the concept as a possible way to address social dumping in European waters. Event 5 Nov 2019
Social Partners discuss international regulations in fisheries with the Spanish authorities On 23 October ETF and Europêche met with the representatives of the Spanish government to discuss the ratification of international instruments concerning the work in the fishing sector. Social Partners also discussed the progress of their joint project ‘Pillars of the Sea 2’. Event 29 Oct 2019
Rail social partners start negotiations on agreement to promote women’s employment Women account for less than 20% of the railway workforce, a figure that is alarmingly below the 46% participation rate of women in the labour market. Railway companies and trade unions are convinced that the situation needs to change in order to avoid missing out on the valuable contribution of women, to promote diversity at the workplace, and eventually harmonise the railway sector’s image with the reality of the society in which rail customers live. News 16 Oct 2019
CER and ETF start negotiations of an autonomous agreement on Women in Rail. Joint press release (October 2019) resource 16 Oct 2019
Digital transformation and social dialogue in Urban Public Transport We shape digital transformation in urban public transport. The final report of our joint project “Digital transformation and social dialogue in Urban Public Transport in Europe” is out and available in 7 languages (EN, ES, FR, DE, HU, IT, PL). Projects 1 Oct 2019