EPSU joined a delegation from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Youth Committee in Brussels on 3 and 4 March 2025 to advocate for a strong Traineeship Directive.
On 3 March, the delegation visited the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), where they met with General Secretary Esther Lynch and Tea Jarc, ETUC Confederal Secretary responsible for youth, employment policy, and other key areas.
Esther Lynch outlined the ETUC’s priorities and the role of the ITUC within the European trade union movement. Tea Jarc highlighted the key challenges in the proposed Traineeship Directive and shared strategies for young trade unionists to push for the strongest possible protections.
The Traineeship Directive, proposed by the European Commission in March 2024, aims to improve and enforce working conditions for trainees while tackling disguised employment relationships. While a step in the right direction, the directive must be strengthened to ensure young workers are fully protected from exploitation.
The ETUC warns that the directive’s current scope is too narrow, potentially leaving many trainees without adequate protections, particularly those in unclear employment situations. To be effective, the directive must include:
- Clear standards on fair pay linked to minimum wage requirements
- Stronger action against abusive or fake traineeships
- Better resources for labour inspectors to enforce the rules effectively
- Guarantees that it does not weaken existing national protections or create a new worker category that undermines trainees’ rights
On 4 March, the delegation met with Irish MEPs at the European Parliament to highlight the realities faced by young Irish workers and to stress the importance of a strong Traineeship Directive that safeguards young people across Europe.
MEPs from several political groups, including the European People’s Party (EPP), Renew Europe, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and the Left, expressed strong support for an ambitious directive and committed to ongoing engagement with young trade unionists on this and other key policy issues.
The MEPs present at the meeting were Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (S&D), Barry Cowen (Renew), Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Renew), and Seán Kelly (EPP). Representatives also attended from the offices of Kathleen Funchion (the Left), Michael McNamara (Renew), and Nina Carberry (EPP).
EPSU and the ICTU Youth Committee thank the MEPs for their engagement and look forward to working together to secure a traineeship directive that protects the most vulnerable workers.
The ICTU Youth Delegation was comprised of Michael Kerrigan (FÓRSA), John Lawler (ESU), and James Joy (FÓRSA). They were joined by Gerry McCormack, European Officer for ICTU, and Chloe Kenny, Youth Coordinator for EPSU.
(6 March, 2025) EPSU joined a delegation from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Youth Committee in Brussels on 3 and 4 March 2025 to advocate for a strong Traineeship Directive.
On 3 March, the delegation visited the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), where they met with General Secretary Esther Lynch and Tea Jarc, ETUC Confederal Secretary responsible for youth, employment policy, and other key areas.
Esther Lynch outlined the ETUC’s priorities and the role of the ITUC within the European trade union movement. Tea Jarc highlighted the key challenges in the proposed Traineeship Directive and shared strategies for young trade unionists to push for the strongest possible protections.
The Traineeship Directive, proposed by the European Commission in March 2024, aims to improve and enforce working conditions for trainees while tackling disguised employment relationships. While a step in the right direction, the directive must be strengthened to ensure young workers are fully protected from exploitation.
The ETUC warns that the directive’s current scope is too narrow, potentially leaving many trainees without adequate protections, particularly those in unclear employment situations. To be effective, the directive must include:
- Clear standards on fair pay linked to minimum wage requirements
- Stronger action against abusive or fake traineeships
- Better resources for labour inspectors to enforce the rules effectively
- Guarantees that it does not weaken existing national protections or create a new worker category that undermines trainees’ rights
On 4 March, the delegation met with Irish MEPs at the European Parliament to highlight the realities faced by young Irish workers and to stress the importance of a strong Traineeship Directive that safeguards young people across Europe.
MEPs from several political groups, including the European People’s Party (EPP), Renew Europe, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and the Left, expressed strong support for an ambitious directive and committed to ongoing engagement with young trade unionists on this and other key policy issues.
The MEPs present at the meeting were Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (S&D), Barry Cowen (Renew), Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Renew), and Seán Kelly (EPP). Representatives also attended from the offices of Kathleen Funchion (the Left), Michael McNamara (Renew), and Nina Carberry (EPP).
EPSU and the ICTU Youth Committee thank the MEPs for their engagement and look forward to working together to secure a traineeship directive that protects the most vulnerable workers.
The ICTU Youth Delegation was comprised of Michael Kerrigan (FÓRSA), John Lawler (ESU), and James Joy (FÓRSA). They were joined by Gerry McCormack, European Officer for ICTU, and Chloe Kenny, Youth Coordinator for EPSU.
