Yolanda Díaz defends the signing of ILO Convention 190 in Brussels and advocates green collective bargaining

Brussels (Belgium)

At the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) of the EU, the minister recalled that this first international instrument addressing violence and harassment in the world of work has already been ratified by 25 countries around the world, including Spain, Greece, Italy and Ireland.

In his opinion, the ratification of this convention is particularly relevant in a context in which both the consolidated gains and the possibility of pending reforms are being called into question. "Faced with these threats, the Union must redouble its commitment to feminist protection policies, policies of common sense. What is at stake is gender equality and, consequently, the possibility of a democratic horizon for Europe".

Green and digital transition with green collective bargaining

Another point of discussion at today's meeting was how to address the EU's competitiveness vis-à-vis the challenges posed by the ecological and digital transition. In this respect, the vice-president urged not to forget that this transformation must take place without neglecting decent work and rights, which should translate into adequate wages, fair working conditions, more safety and health at work, and also equality without discrimination, diversity and social dialogue.

In his view, competitiveness and social justice should be two sides of the same coin. "This is the only way to reconnect citizens with an ambitious and transformative European project," Díaz underlined to her EU counterparts.

The minister insisted on the need to promote tripartite and bipartite social dialogue, strengthening it at European level and including the ecological perspective in all dimensions, not least in the world of work. "The time has come to strengthen green collective bargaining, which helps to govern transitions between different sectors", said Díaz, who indicated that social dialogue is one of the priorities of the Spanish rotating presidency of the EU, which begins on 1 July.

More social dialogue, more social Europe

The Second Vice-President and Minister for Work and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, during the work sesion of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) of the EU

The vice-president highlighted the strength of social dialogue in Spain, where some of the most important laws and regulations of the current legislature have been adopted through dialogue with the social partners. In this respect, the minister also highlighted the recent agreement on pension reform. "We are demonstrating within the EU, with the labour reform and the pension reform, that not only are rights not being cut, but they are being extended. This is the social bias that Europe needs. The future is about a social Europe, not a Europe of cuts".

Meeting with the ETUC Secretary General

The Second Vice-President and Minister for Work and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, meets with the Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Esther Lynch

Green collective bargaining was also one of the issues addressed in the meeting that the vice-president held with the Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Esther Lynch, with whom she also discussed how the Government of Spain has promoted social dialogue agreements, an essential tool for forging stable labour and employment policies. "Social dialogue will be one of the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the EU".

Democracy at work, mental health and job insecurity were other issues discussed at the meeting with the Irish trade union leader, who is also involved in the negotiation of European agreements on teleworking and the right to digital disconnection.

Non official translation