EFFAT European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions

23/10/2026

⚧️ EFFAT held the third and final webinar on Gender Equality as part of the EU-funded project "European Pillar of Social Rights for Candidate Countries".

Over 60 trade unionists from candidate countries came together to explore the European legislative and policy framework on gender equality and diversity, to discuss the state of gender equality in their own countries, and the challenges of achieving equal opportunities and conditions.

The webinar also showcased successful union campaigns, including:
✅ The ratification of ILO Convention in Moldova,
✅ Women’s leadership programmes and training in , and
✅ Collective agreements with gender clauses in and .

This was the last event of the current project, but the work continues: we plan to sustain its outcomes and follow up with new activities next year.

Thank you to all participants for their commitment and for sharing their experiences!

19/10/2026

📢 Stronger together for domestic workers' rights across Europe!

What an inspiring and engaging EFFAT Domestic Work Sector General Assembly!

Bringing together trade unions and domestic workers' representatives from across Europe, the Assembly was marked by strong participation, lively discussions and a shared commitment to advancing the rights, recognition and working conditions of domestic workers.

💬 Beyond exchanging experiences and learning from national developments, the Assembly was an important opportunity to reflect on our collective achievements, strengthen cooperation and identify how we can turn our common priorities into concrete action at both national and European levels.

From putting the EFFAT Guiding Framework for the Recognition and Regulation of Domestic Work into practice to discussing the findings of the second European PHS Employment Monitor, occupational health and safety, regularisation and social protection, our exchanges highlighted both the challenges that remain and the importance of working together to address them.

🌍 Together with the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF), we reaffirmed the importance of our cooperation and our shared determination to ensure that domestic workers' voices are heard and their rights fully recognised and protected.

Two days of meaningful exchanges, renewed energy and collective determination to keep moving forward.

✊ Because domestic work is work, and domestic workers deserve rights, recognition and dignity!

16/10/2026

‼️ The aquaculture sector requires a clear, robust legislative framework and a long-term vision that aligns economic, social, and environmental considerations, and strengthens European production.

The upcoming Vision and a fit-for-purpose CFP should prioritise improving working conditions, encouraging social dialogue, developing skills, ensuring fair competition and facilitating a just transition to a sustainable seafood supply system to fulfil its potential in sustaining and creating quality jobs and economic development in disadvantaged coastal areas.

The four organisations urge the European Commission to include concrete legislative action in its Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture 2040 and its 2027 Work Programme

16/10/2026

Yesterday, at their social dialogue committee meeting, EFFAT and FoodDrinkEurope signed a joint position for a stronger EU Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive.

🏭 When powerful buyers squeeze suppliers, the pressure doesn't stop at company margins. It reaches the factory floor, and the jobs, wages and working conditions of Europe's 4.8 million food and drink workers.

Employers and trade unions are calling for:
✅ Legal protection for suppliers of every size
✅ An expanded blacklist of prohibited practices
✅ Stronger, more consistent enforcement across Member States

A fairer food chain protects jobs, investment and rural prosperity while strengthening long-term food security.

🔗 Read the Joint Position: https://wp.me/paPMJb-9KH

16/10/2026

🧹🏠 Domestic workers deserve strong representation and decent working conditions.

As part of the EU-funded SCALE UP project, EFFAT organised a meeting on “Strengthening Trade Union Power in the Domestic Work Sector.”

Trade union representatives from across Europe came together to discuss national collective bargaining, strategies for EU social dialogue, and ways to strengthen capacity building in the sector.

By sharing experiences and building common strategies, we continue to strengthen the voice of domestic workers and advance workers' rights across Europe. ✊

15/10/2026

📣HANDS OFF SOCIAL CONDITIONALITY!

Join the EFFAT Rally in Brussels to defend fair work in European agriculture!

📅 Tuesday, 3 November 2026
📍 Place Jean Rey, Brussels
🕑 14:00 – 16:00 CET

Social conditionality in the was a historic win!

For the first time, EU public funds for agricultural employers are linked to respect for workers’ rights.

Now, with the CAP post-2027 negotiations underway, it is under serious threat. We cannot let that happen!

👉 Join us on 3 November and make your voice heard!

15/10/2026

Is the Due Diligence Directive really the reason Europe is not competitive?

Is social conditionality attached to the CAP an obstacle to growth?

Are environmental and social standards the reason Europe struggles to compete?

Will a competitiveness agenda deliver if it comes at the expense of workers’ rights?

The answer is obviously NO. ❌

At the Tripartite Social Summit EFFAT General Secretary Enrico Somaglia called on leaders to listen to the demand for change coming from the streets of Madrid, Paris and Brussels, to treat social progress as a distinctly European competitive advantage.

Europe will never win a race to the bottom. The high road to competitiveness means investing in skills, innovation, quality jobs, sustainable production and a fair distribution of prosperity.

His key messages:
✅ Strong social investment and cohesion policy in the next MFF, strengthened and ring-fenced
✅ An ambitious Quality Jobs Act that tackles abusive subcontracting and labour intermediation
✅ A stronger Social Conditionality in the new CAP

13/10/2026

📢 Capacity Building Workshop in Spain

Today, EFFAT held the National Observatory on Domestic Work in Spain, a capacity building workshop as part of the SCALE UP project : Strengthening Trade Union Power in the Domestic Work Sector.

The workshop brought together trade unions, employers, domestic workers, public authorities, and academics to strengthen knowledge, skills, and cooperation in support of domestic workers’ rights.

09/10/2026

🇪🇺 Building stronger European Works Councils for a fairer future.

Over the last two days, participants from across Europe gathered in Berlin for the first EFFAT event on Just Transition & Due Diligence, organised within the framework of our EU-funded EWC Project.

The event provided a platform to discuss:
💡 How European Works Councils can help shape a fair transition
🌱 How we ensure climate action goes hand in hand with quality jobs
🤝 How workers throughout the supply chain can strengthen their voice in multinational companies

The exchange confirmed a shared commitment: workers must have a seat at the table when decisions affecting their future are made.

Thank you to all participants for helping turn dialogue into action. ✊

09/10/2026

Today, EFFAT was present in the streets of Brussels in support of our Belgian affiliated trade unions, who mobilised against the government's planned austerity measures.

We share our Belgian colleagues' concerns and fully back their demands:
🚨 No increase in VAT
🚨 No attack on wage indexation and workers' purchasing power
🚨 No imposed flexibility through the annualisation of working time
🚨 Dignified end-of-career conditions and respect for working conditions

Budgetary efforts must not be borne by workers alone!

EFFAT stands firmly with workers in Belgium. This demonstration is a first warning, and we will continue to support our affiliates throughout this autumn of mobilisation.