{"id":1261,"date":"2024-10-01T13:43:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T12:43:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unieuropaconference.org\/news\/essential-workers-from-across-europe-rally-in-brussels-for-better-pay-and-conditions-through-eu-procurement-reform\/"},"modified":"2024-10-15T13:49:02","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T12:49:02","slug":"essential-workers-from-across-europe-rally-in-brussels-for-better-pay-and-conditions-through-eu-procurement-reform","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/unieuropaconference.org\/news\/essential-workers-from-across-europe-rally-in-brussels-for-better-pay-and-conditions-through-eu-procurement-reform\/","title":{"rendered":"Essential workers rally in Brussels for better pay and conditions through EU procurement reform"},"content":{"rendered":"
BRUSSELS, 1 October 2024<\/strong> \u2013 Today, 1,000 essential workers \u2013 cleaners, security guards and food service employees \u2013 from nine European countries rallied in Brussels, demanding that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen act to improve pay and conditions for millions of workers through procurement reform. Workers, trade union leaders and members of the European Parliament condemned the \u201crace to the bottom\u201d caused by the EU\u2019s current procurement rules<\/strong>, which prioritise the lowest price at the expense of workers\u2019 well-being.<\/p>\n \u201cMy job is very important for the safety of the people. But my salary is far too low for the cost of living\u201d, said<\/strong> security worker Youssef B<\/strong>. \u201cWhat I want is to be able to offer the best service to my customers and have a decent life for myself and my family. So the rules at European level need to change, so that my colleagues and I can finally get good working conditions!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOver the course of my 20-year career in the European Parliament, I’ve worked for 11 different bosses, changing employer every 4 years. Today, I\u2019m taking to the streets because my future is uncertain. We need stability and fairness, not a constant race to the bottom,\u201d said contract catering worker in the European Parliament Najib M.<\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83d\udd25\ud83c\udfa5: In a powerful show of force, essential workers, trade union leaders and members of the European Parliament rose up in Brussels to condemn the \u201crace to the bottom\u201d caused by EU procurement rules, which prioritise the lowest price at the expense of workers\u2019 well-being. pic.twitter.com\/imTPVAIyRL<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 UNI Europa (@UNI_Europa) October 2, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n