EFFAT has released the report, Improved Working and Living Conditions in the Meat Sector through Trade Union Action. At the end of the 2 years project ‘MeatTheStandards’, the report highlights the significant role trade unions have played in transforming the working environment of Europe’s meat industry. As the sector undergoes consolidation, restructuring, and economic shifts, the challenges facing its 700,000 workers have multiplied. However, the report’s findings emphasize that trade union action has been essential in addressing these challenges and advocating for fair wages, better working conditions, and the protection of workers’ rights.
Collective Agreements: A Proven Solution
The report illustrates how collective bargaining agreements, driven by strong trade union efforts, have resulted in tangible improvements. These include higher wages, enhanced health and safety measures, and more stable employment for workers in an industry historically plagued by precarious jobs and poor conditions.
Confronting a Changing Industry
As the meat industry consolidates and restructures, the report underscores the crucial role unions play in protecting workers from the adverse effects of these changes. Economic shifts have led to job cuts, subcontracting and employment through intermediaries to avoid employer liability.
A Unified European Push
The report concludes that, while improvements have been made on the national level, broader European action is necessary in addition. EFFAT has led efforts to advocate for a binding EU instrument that regulates labour intermediaries and fair working conditions across subcontracting chains to protect vulnerable workers. The report also highlights the importance of using the Minimum Wage Directive to expand collective bargaining coverage across Europe, addressing the persistent issue of low wages in the meat sector.
Supporting Migrant Workers
One of the report’s key findings is the crucial role trade unions have to play in protecting the meat industry’s large migrant workforce. Many migrant workers face heightened risks of exploitation due to language barriers and lack of support.
Unions lead the way to improved working conditions
The final report, Improved Working and Living Conditions in the Meat Sector through Trade Union Action is clear: unions are central to ensuring better labour standards across the meat industry. Through collective bargaining, advocacy at national and European level, and the organization of vulnerable migrant workers, trade unions have been a driving force for positive change. The report makes it clear that without sustained union action, many of the gains in working conditions and worker rights achieved in recent years would not have been possible.
As the sector continues to evolve, trade unions remain the key to safeguarding workers’ rights and ensuring that the meat industry becomes a fairer, safer, and more just place to work across Europe.
Report:
Meat Final Report EN
Meat Final Report PL
Meat Final Report NL
Meat Final Report FR
Meat Final Report ES
Meat Final Report DE
