The European economy is currently facing major upheavals such as digitisation, the climate crisis and escalating geopolitical tensions. The EU approach of open strategic autonomy is at odds with the new interventionist and protectionist approaches. Against this backdrop, the European Commission is focusing on a more active approach to industrial policy. The Green Deal Industrial Plan and related Commission’s proposals such as the Net-Zero Industry Act aim to achieve technological retooling and innovation, value creation and employment for a climate-neutral and sustainable Europe.

International financial investors and corporations are gaining ground in areas of critical infrastructure such as care, healthcare and housing. At a recent event, the trade union organisation Uni Global Europe drew attention to the dangers posed by private equity investments to the security and quality of supply and to employees. The new study by the Austrian Chamber of Labour was also presented at the event, underlining the need for effective early warning systems and protective measures.

The theme of this year's EU Tax Symposium in October 2023 was "The future of taxation in the EU". Politicians and academics discussed the taxation of corporations, assets and possible new EU own resources. It became clear that tax policy must also provide answers to the current crises and future challenges.

In recent years, transnational corporations and financial investors have been capturing more and more areas of social infrastructure. Profit-maximizing business models – in particular profit skimming, tax avoidance and “cherry picking” – pose a risk to general welfare as well as to the stability of society and the economy.

The Brussels Offices of the Austrian Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA) and the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) are pleased to invite you to the joint event "75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - How can we put an end to products of forced labour?"

The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) is currently being negotiated in trilogue between the EU-Commission, the Council and the European Parliament. Companies will be obliged to identify, eliminate, prevent, mitigate and account for adverse human rights and environmental impacts of their business activities in their global value chains. While positive effects on workers and communities, especially in the Global South, are widely undisputed, the expected economic effects of the Directive have been discussed controversially. 

On 16 October 2023, the responsible committees of the EU Parliament overwhelmingly adopted their position on the planned ban of products made in forced labour on the Union market. In addition, MEPs propose significant improvements and advocate for compensation for forced labourers and a reversal of the burden of proof. It is now important to ensure that the negotiations in the Council also proceed quickly so that the legal act can be adopted before the end of this legislative term.

After long negotiations, the trade agreement between the EU and New Zealand is reaching a conclusion. The approval of the EU Parliament is expected soon. Some even see this agreement as the "gold standard" for future trade agreements. But all that glitters is not gold. In fact, there is still a long way to go to achieve a comprehensive socially just and environmentally sustainable trade policy.

It is common practice within the EU for people to travel, live, work or be posted by their employer to another EU country. However, cross-border digital evidence, for example with regard to health care, pensions or family benefits, is not yet universally possible. Therefore, at the beginning of September, the EU Commission presented instruments in a new Communication with which it would like to enable faster and easier digital access to social security services.

Water is a vital resource. However, it is becoming increasingly scarce due to the climate crisis. Not only humans and nature, but also sectors such as agriculture, energy and the textile industry need large quantities. To find solutions to the major challenges we face, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is calling for a Blue Deal for the EU. Modelled on the EU Green Deal, the intention is to create a European strategy to ensure good management of the "blue gold" for people, the economy and our planet.