Athens Conference Aims to End Exploitation of Young Workers

By Global Unions

New trade union bargaining agendas to end the exploitation of young workers is a key aim of the UNI-Europa Youth conference being held in Athens on 21-23 October.

Young people make up more than half the world's unemployed and those in work often face job insecurity, low pay and a lack of proper training.

Unions want to attract more young workers as members - and the conference will discuss how collective bargaining agendas with employers need to change to reflect the needs of young people.

Equal pay and the plight of young immigrant workers will also be discussed in a three-day conference (at the Hotel Acropol) that plans to build European networks of young trade union activists.

About 200 young people from 40 countries and 72 unions are expected to attend the UNI-Europa Youth conference - including representatives from Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas.

In the fast growing call centre industry most workers are under the age of 35 - and many face poor career prospects, stressful working conditions and, often, face anti union employers.

Life long learning to equip young people for a lifetime of work in rapidly changing industries will be a major topic at the conference.

"We live in ageing societies in Europe and we have to value our young people and help them to build their skills - they are the future of society and our unions," said Alke Boessiger, UNI-Europa Youth Coordinator.

"We also believe young activists have a key role in reaching out to immigrant workers, often in "invisible" work like cleaning, and ensuring that unions organise and help them.

"We want to end all exploitation of workers and end a race to the bottom both within and between countries."

UNI-Europa Youth is launching a series of Summer Schools to help build the young union leaders of the future.