Young European trade union leaders — on employment and more active participation in decision-making process
On 5-7 June an international trade union youth forum on "Strengthening trade union youth participation in decision-making at European and national level" organised by Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS) took place in Riga.
Around 70 young trade union leaders from Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, and Sweden shared best practices and discussed youth participation opportunities in the trade union movement, employment and improving international cooperation.
" The international trade union youth forum has reached its goal — it has demonstrated that there is a future for trade unions in Europe and a generation of new leaders is developing and making a constructive and efficient vision on future trade unions by elaborating clear recommendations for decision-makers. Young people realize that the economic situation in Europe is a complicated one and it will not be an easy task to change it therefore trade unions have to change themselves, both in negotiations with the governments and the particular employers’ organisations to gain the respect and to be taken into account. Leaders should be knowledgeable and the European trade union youth representatives proved their excellent knowledge and expertise, said LBAS President Pēteris Krīgers.
“Young people in Europe are suffering from the effects of a negative social situation that has been exacerbated by crisis. That is the reason why all stakeholders, including trade unions, should make more efforts in order to increase the level of participation of young people in the labour market and in the society at large. LBAS trade union youth forum in Riga provided expertise and concrete suggestions how to improve in the coming years the youth representation and integration strategies in trade unions across Europe and in the ETUC i Congress in September, indicated Salvatore Marra, the President of the European Trade Union Confederation’s (ETUC) Youth Committee.
In the first session of the forum trade union youth representatives discussed the current participation in European and national political processes and presented examples of best practice. The young leaders stressed the necessity to involve more young people in decision-making processes and select them as candidates for appointed positions. The forum recommendations highlights the necessity of young people’s voices to be heard - special programmes to include young workers needs are required and supportive measures for young workers and for those who are studying should be included in collective bargaining agreements.
In the second session of the forum trade union youth representatives discussed current challenges in youth professional development and youth unemployment problems. The participants defined the main professional development tools and made proposals regarding the role of trade unions and opportunities for young people in the development of professional skills —career support opportunities and the role of non-formal education. The participants of the forum shared best practice examples in employment development activities and the members of the Youth Committee of the European Trade Union Confederation delivered the presentation on the youth employment in the EU and the European social partners’ agreement on the Framework of Actions on Youth Employment and trade union activities to facilitate and support youth employment.
The third session of the forum was devoted to trade union cooperation and tools for solving youth problems. Trade union youth representatives approved the need for and added value of the Baltic trade unions, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the ETUC Youth Committees.
During the forum special recommendations were elaborated on strengthening the participation of trade union youth representatives, employment and promotion of international cooperation for the ETUC and all ETUC affiliated organisations.
The international trade union youth forum was organised with the support of the ESF project "Strengthening of the administrative capacity of the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia 2009 - 2015" (project no. 1DP / 1.5.2.2.1. / 08 / IPIA / SIF / 001/01).