As part of the WeEP24 project, CESI has been actively engaging workers across Europe to highlight the importance of the upcoming European Parliament elections in June.

Following a successful first round of awareness raising events across Europe, CESI organised four additional gatherings in Italy, Germany, Hungary, and Romania, each focusing on critical issues affecting workers and their role in shaping the future of the European Union.

Germany: The Federal Youth Committee of dbb Jugend on European Elections

With the support of the Bundesjugendausschuss (Federal Youth Committee) of dbb Jugend, CESI hosted in Berlin a significant event on February 16 emphasising the importance of the upcoming European elections. The agenda included a series of discussions and reports from various working groups, all centered around the theme “Europäischer Arbeitsmarkt der Zukunft” (The Future European Labour Market).

Participants included members from different working groups within the dbb Jugend, who presented their insights and strategic plans related to modern civil service, diversity, security, and the European labour market. The event fostered a deeper understanding of the implications of the European elections on the youth workforce and discussed the role of young voters in shaping labor policies within the EU.

Hungary: Workers and Youth Rights at the Forefront

On April 17, 2024, CESI and the Hungarian Trade Union of Hungarian Civil Servants and Public Employees (MKKSZ) held an online event focusing on the rights of young workers in Hungary. This event was part of the broader effort to engage and inform Hungarian workers about their crucial role in the upcoming European elections.

Moderated by Róbert Szokolai, President of MKKSZ Youth, the event featured discussions on social justice, working rights, employment policies, job creation, and environmental policies.

Romania: European Elections and Romanian Workers

On April 26, 2024, CESI and the Romanian National Trade Union Confederation Meridian (CSN Meridian) organised an event at the Phoenicia Grand Hotel in Bucharest. Titled “Countdown to the European Elections: What is their value for Romanian Workers?”, the event aimed to elucidate the significance of the European elections for Romanian workers.

The event, moderated by Dumitru Fornea, Secretary General of CSN Meridian, included opening messages from Klaus Heeger, Secretary General of CESI, and Mădălin-Cristian Vasilcoiu, State Secretary at the Romanian Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity. Discussions focused on the European Parliament’s role, the impact of EU policies on Romanian citizens and workers, and strategies to promote the European elections in Romania. The event concluded with a working lunch, fostering further dialogue among participants.

Italy: A Day on the European Union – “Cosa-Come-Perchè”

On May 17, 2024, CESI, in collaboration with the Italian trade union ‘ANIEF’, organised a comprehensive event in Rome titled “Cosa-Come-Perchè: Una giornata sull’Unione Europea”. The hybrid event addressed vital topics such as the significance the European elections, the EU’s contributions to citizen welfare, and the future priorities for workers’ rights.

The sessions covered a broad spectrum of issues, from the benefits of EU democracy to the specific actions taken by the EU to protect workers’ rights and improve working conditions. Representatives from Italian and European trade unions provided insights on their demands from the EU, highlighting the necessity for collaborative efforts to safeguard workers’ interests.

These events underscore CESI’s commitment to empowering workers across Europe by raising awareness about the crucial elections in June 2024. By addressing local concerns and engaging with workers directly, CESI aims to ensure that the voices of European workers are heard and considered in the policymaking processes of the European Union. As the 2024 elections approach, such initiatives are vital in fostering a more inclusive and democratic Europe.