Bastun - Baltic Sea Trade Union Network

 
Mobility of Labour

The mobility of labour is a priority area for BASTUN.

The work in terms of mobility of labour is strongly linked to "BSLN - Baltic Sea Labour Network" project, which is a joint initiative of trade unions, employer organisations, government bodies and politicians of the Baltic Sea region.

BASTUN together with the BSLN project aims at development of adaptation strategies, actions, policies and models for specific areas of labour policy. The Baltic Sea region should become a frontrunner and a model of sustainable labour markets and policies in Europe.

The paper below describes some of the current trends and the social and political challenges regarding the increased cross-border flow of workers that should be taken into consideration when policies are prepared.

 
Mobility of labour in the Baltic Sea region

pdf Mobility of Labour: Blessing or Curse?

 


 
Trade union standpoints on the mobility of labour:

  • The Baltic Sea region should be developed to a model for the rest of Europe in terms of sustainable labour markets and labour policies
  • The trade unions in the Baltic Sea region have a positive view on migration and the free movement of labour
  • Decent working conditions, wages, social security and stability should be seen as one aspect of the competitiveness of the whole Baltic Sea region
  • Collective agreements based on social dialogue, collective bargaining and tripartite cooperation (government, employers and employees) is the platform for sustainable labour markets
  • The social dimension is one part of sustainable economic development
  • Race to the top instead of to the bottom: Nobody wins if working conditions are worsened in order to even out the differences between the old and the new EU countries, EEA or third countries
  • The trade unions support the country of work principle: Equal working conditions and pay for equal work in the same country
  • Labour migration is to be based on high standards and equal conditions for all foreign and domestic labour
  • The key ILO conventions and international labour standards should be a basis for a decent Baltic Sea labour market
  • Institutionalization of the social dialogue as a tool for the achievement of sustainable and competitive labour market in the region
  • Labour markets statistics should be improved in the Baltic Sea region
  • Strengthen the social partners and social dialogue in the Baltic Sea region (1. National or EU projects for capacity building of the social partners, 2. Transnational advisory bodies/forum for social dialogue in the Baltic Sea region in connection with the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS))
  • Social dialogue is a way to develop labour markets, safe-guard workers’ rights and reduce social discrimination (1. International framework agreements with multinational companies, 2. Agreements on national level, 3. Activity and cooperation of social partners at local level)
  • A clear definition of Self-employment is needed in the EU system to combat the growing trend of bogus self-employment and the dumping of protection that follows with this trend
  • Illegal work is a problem in a society when some employers try to benefit from hiding profit and exploiting employees. Such activity should be considered as a crime
  • Trade unions from the Baltic Sea region welcome the fact that European Trade Union Confederation and European Parliament are looking at ways to re-establish an adequate balance between fundamental social rights and economic freedoms (1. Adoption of a Social Progress Protocol to be attached to the Treaties, 2. A possible clarification of the Posted Workers Directive)