Main Priorities 2020-2023
Areas of Influence
Equal Treatment - fair mobility for all workers
Our main aim is to combat all kinds of precarious work (temporary work, undeclared work, atypical forms of employment and bogus self-employment) and arduous work. We will promote equal treatment between all workers in the same situation, i.e. equal treatment, wages and working conditions (equal pay for equal work done in the same place), social security and social protection, occupational health and safety and access to vocational and professional training. These efforts also entail guaranteeing fundamental rights – to join a union, negotiate freely and take industrial action – for all workers.
Combating Climate Change - ensuring a just transition
The EFBWW fully supports the goals laid down in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving the energy transition open many job- and activity related opportunities in the building, forestry, wood and building material sectors. The EFBWW sectors can all play a key role in implementing climate change policies and be part of the solutions to existing challenges.
Digitalisation for Workers - the fair transformation of our sectors
Digitalisation is already changing production processes in our sectors and could fundamentally transform working conditions and labour relations. Together with BWI, the EFBWW will seek to influence such transformations to serve workers' interests. No workers may find themselves left behind, and any who lose their jobs must be fairly compensated and requalified for new professional activities. Moreover, productivity gains arising through digitalisation must be fairly distributed by increasing wages.
More Investment - high-quality jobs and better vocational training
Extensive public and private investment is needed in Europe to upgrade infrastructure and prepare the economy and society to meet stated climate ambitions. The EFBWW will work on drawing up a European investment plan, a 'Green New Deal', in which the building, forestry, wood and construction material sectors can play key roles.
Better Work Environment - for a healthier workforce
All too often, working in EFBWW sectors is still hazardous and arduous, with workers exposed to dangerous substances and strenuous situations. Materials and equipment are often not ergonomic and too heavy, working conditions are frequently physically onerous and psychosocial risks are a growing concern. All this results in a comparably high incidence of occupational diseases and accidents and means many workers are unable to work up to the normal retirement age. The EFBWW wants to continuously improve working conditions and defends existing early retirement schemes for those unable to work until the statutory retirement age.
Stronger Trade Unions - organising and improving industrial relations
The EFBWW's focus is on facilitating the creation of networks to help share best practices on capacity building and organisation. We will initiate actions and launch projects to strengthen industrial relations at various levels in Europe: at European, national, regional and company levels. We will work with BWI on capacity building issues in CEE countries.
Tools of Influence
- Lobbying and European Social Dialogue to Influence EU institutions
- EWCs to influence multinational companies
- Communication and Campaings to influence public opinion
Read the Strategic Plan 2020-2023 adopted by the General Assembly here:
To execute and implement the Strategic Plan and the resolutions, the Executive Committee adopted an implementation strategy.
This document brings together the work programs of the Committees and coordination groups in one overview and presents the implementation of our Strategic Plan in a transparent way.
This general overview will help us to identify what issues need to be taken up where (i.e. governance) and will facilitate internal coordination.
This tool will also help us to report and evaluate. The Implementation strategy will be adapted to new developments, such as the impact of COVID-19, the recovery strategy, and new priorities and proposals of the EU institutions.
- Implementation Plan [ENG]