In defense of workers’ Post

This week, my work is focusing on the Eastern Partnership. The road to the EU integration is bumpy as ever and even more. EU enlargement is at the cross roads again. However, the structured involvement of the civil society in the Eastern Partnership countries has been an important factor of some successes that the EU has in this area. Civil society organisations and trade unions are the drivers of the reforms. We have to put the value of the civil society that has European future in their vision in the spot line again. For us in trade union movement is key to put Decent Work and social dialogue as a visible policy area and a fundamental for EU integration process. It is not there yet.

Trade unionists and European Works Council representatives are gathering in Brussels today and tomorrow Discussing with #EU decision makers the key importance of information & consultation rights as investment in the resilience of the European economy and a critical factor in boosting competitiveness #EWC #TradUnions

Waiting for Vellah Kigwiru‘s presentation, 'How and When do National Competition Agencies Support Supranational Regional Competition Regimes? The Case of the COMESA Competition Commission' at #ASCOLA2024, I just found out and read an interesting GCR report on the situation in Africa. Some facts I learned from this article (which many of you perhaps already know): - The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) competition protocol was adopted by the bloc in February 2023. - The protocol, if ratified by 22 member states, would create an AfCFTA Competition Authority and Tribunal with jurisdiction across all 55 member states. - It is larger than the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). - According to my understanding, the protocol and the AfCFTA Competition Authority to be established will cover not only COMESA but also the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). - Further integration is expected partially due to the overarching regime. Alex Bagley, 'Pan-African competition regime not expected until 2026, says COMESA chief,' GCR (June 10, 2024) https://lnkd.in/gVb9kAuv For those interested in, some more of my personal notes: https://lnkd.in/g7BU9HGY

Fun fact about parliamentary procedures: If a decision of the Deutscher Bundestag addresses matters of the European Union, that decision is translated to English and French and made available for the European Parliament , the Council of the European Union , the European Commission, all national parliaments and all other interested parties via the public database #IPEX (Interparlamentary #EU information exchange). An example is the recent Bundestag decision “Deeper cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific for the resolution of global challenges”: https://lnkd.in/eWVHH4WA

The Kommerskollegium | National Board of Trade Sweden has released a report that analyses the cumulative impact of new EU regulations on trade and investment with non-EU countries. It highlights that regulatory uncertainty and compliance challenges could lead to welfare losses and affect the EU's reputation as a trading partner. Read the full article here 👉: https://lnkd.in/epdrArRF Heidi M-B Lund

Unlike previous editions that were more focused on political discussions and internal party matters, the 2024 Umno General Assembly, which begins today, has chosen to focus on issues related to the people's interests. #PAU2024 #UMNO #Malaysia #ZahidHamidi

THE EU CITIZENS ARE BRUSSELS EFFECT LOBBYISTS Experience is one of the most descriptive attributes that characterize the EU regulatory system. According to the reading “The Brussels Effect” written by Bradford in 2012, expertise is one of the main requirements for exerting authority among the market participants from inside and outside the Single Market. Undoubtedly, resource rich business associations influence the EU-Legislation’s decision-makers, as stated Dür and Mateo in the article written in 2012 “Who lobbies the European Union? National interest groups in a multilevel polity”. Nevertheless citizens’ behaviour not so indirectly influence the EU polities. The image from above taken in Luxembourg City in 2024 define quite well the European Parliament and its bonding towards the EU citizens. Luckily, democracy plays a crucial role in the functioning of the European Union because the main European Parliament’s function is to represent the EU citizens in light of the general elections. Furthermore, with the EU Council, it is charged of exerting the legislative power in a “de facto bicameral system”. The Latin locution “de facto” is translated as “in fact”, that it is used to describe that what it matters most is the weight of the actions rather than the formal legal recognition or other agreements. Owing to the “de facto Brussels effect”, as the article illustrates, the international trade participants are clearly involved in a “race to the top”. The reason of this phenomenon is explained by the high regulatory capacity of the EU system in standardization processes as well its enforcement efforts in penalty impositions directed to his trade interactors, which actions couldn’t be more effective thanks to the high standard requirements of the EU society. Bradford, A. (2012). The Brussels Effect. Recuperado de: file:///C:/Users/jgfor/OneDrive%20-%20alum.esci.upf.edu/Documentos/ESCI/European%20Integration/bradford_2012_brussels_effect.pdf Dur, A., & Mateo, G. (2012). Interest Groups in the European Union. Recuperado de: file:///C:/Users/jgfor/OneDrive%20 %20alum.esci.upf.edu/Documentos/ESCI/European%20Integration/dur_mateo_2012_interest_groups_eu.pdf

🚀 Exciting times in #Strasbourg as the 10th European Parliament Legislature kicks off! The newest cohort of #MEPs has hit the ground running, voting in key leadership roles. 🌍 🎉 Congratulations to Ursula von der Leyen, who has been confirmed for another 5 years as European Commission President with a solid 401 votes - a significant improvement from her narrow majority in 2019! Supported by a coalition of #SD, #Greens, #Renew, and #EPP. A 40 vote majority suggests limited support from the #ECR group. 👏 Kudos to European Parliament President Roberta #Metsola, re-elected with an impressive 562 votes out of 720 MEPs. Expect a power-sharing arrangement with the S&D, setting the stage for an S&D MEP to take the presidency after Metsola's term. 🔜 Next week, the action moves to #Brussels for a committee session where Committees will elect their Chairs and Vice-Chairs. Notably, Bernd Lange of the S&D is set to continue as Chair of the International Trade Committee for a third term, ensuring steady leadership in trade matters. Stay tuned for more updates as the 10th Legislature continues to shape Europe's future! 🌟 Our team at the Israel Trade Mission to the EU remains committed to closely monitoring regulatory and policy developments. Follow us for updates, and don’t hesitate to contact us for further information. #EuropeanParliament #EP10 #Leadership #EUPolitics #Trade #INTA #EUCommission #Policy #Governance #VdL Ami Levin Lena Zeiger Yasmin Azhari Foreign Trade Administration - Ministry of Economy & Industry

#Draghi's report doesn’t contain anything remarkably new, but it does include some useful data gathering and analysis. While acknowledging the significant differences between the EU and US political and regulatory systems, it's hard not to be struck by the following figures... The issue is not just the number of regulations, but also how these should be designed to #incentivise market operators rather than punish them. Addressing public policy challenges and upholding citizens' rights and consumer protection is crucial, but the lack of #harmonisation and the level of prescription in EU regulation could well be defeating the purpose. There may be alternative approaches worth considering. "While direct comparisons are obscured by different political and legal systems, around 3,500 pieces of legislation were enacted and around 2,000 resolutions were passed in the US at the federal level over the past three Congress mandates (2019-2024). During the same period, around 13,000 acts were passed by the EU. Despite this increasing flow of regulation, the EU lacks a quantitative framework to analyse the costs and benefits of new laws." The report — divided in two parts (a shorter strategy paper and a more in-depth analysis and recommendations) — is available at this link: https://lnkd.in/ePMWiNVB #betterregulation #eucompetitivness #digitalisation #bettergovernance

#Abslsummit2024 this is #graphicrecording of the annual ABSL Poland conference on world business sector. Day2 - check out this discussion "Clash of the Titans: Loud and proud: Poland at the forefront of FDI" moderated by Piotr Kraśko with these power experts: dr hab. Jacek Siewiera PhD Magda Dziewguc David V. Gioe, Ph.D. Jayee Koffey and James Pomeroy the most important take-aways: 1. Lack of security is Expensive! 2. With every investment our security is rising 3. Be aware and work to be prepared 4. US Elections are the turning point 5. Perception matters! 6. Poland is ready for business!!! Check yourself: