The minimum wage directive: a much-needed tool for CEE unions

As the deadline for transposing the EU’s Minimum Wage Directive draws near, UNI Europa continues its efforts to ensure that workers across Europe benefit from improved working conditions and wages. A crucial element of this initiative is the development of National Action Plans aimed at increasing collective agreement coverage to 80% of all workers. To support this goal, UNI Europa recently organised a workshop in Budapest, Hungary, on November 5-6, bringing together over 20 trade union representatives from Hungary, Poland, Latvia and Greece.

The workshop provided a collaborative space for trade unions to think, evaluate, and discuss strategies for the National Action Plans, which are expected to be instrumental in achieving broader collective bargaining coverage. The event focused on helping unions leverage the new Directive and strengthen their influence to address common challenges faced by unions across these regions.

Workshop Highlights

The interactive format was well-received, with participants praising the event’s organization and engagement level. One participant noted, “The workshop included a lot of activities requiring everyone’s participation, commitment, and preparation by the instructors. It was well-organized and very interactive.” Another attendee added, “Thank you to the organisers. It was professional work, and I appreciated the interactive approach and abundant materials provided. I’d love to join more training like this.”

Building Capacity and Collective Bargaining in the Services Sector

This workshop is part of UNI Europa’s broader effort to empower trade unions in the services sector, enabling them to take full advantage of the Minimum Wage Directive. By bringing union leaders together to share insights, strategies, and practical tools, the workshop aimed to strengthen collective bargaining power, particularly in countries where single-employer bargaining systems are predominant.