BASTUN Finnish Presidency 2013–2014

Work Plan for 1 July 2013 – 30 June 2014

1 BASTUNFinnish Presidency

BASTUN works as a trade union forum for information exchange, discussion and definition of common interests in the Baltic Sea region. In addition to international trade union cooperation, BASTUN has a representative role in various international bodies and working groups, which include a wide range of political dimensions. BASTUN follows and disseminates information on international projects.

The Presidency and the Secretariat form a preparation and executive body. The BASTUN Spring and Autumn meetings function as a forum for discussion and collective decision making. The Presidency in cooperation with the Secretariat represents the network when needed, acts as a chairman at the BASTUN meetings and implements the Presidency Work Plan.

The Finnish Confederation of ProfessionalsSTTK willhold theBASTUN presidency from the beginning of July in 2013 until the end of June in 2014.STTKwill have a coordinative role of the presidency.Mr.Mikko Mäenpää, President of STTK, will be the chairperson of BASTUN during the Finnish Presidency.

During the Finnishpresidency:

  • The BASTUN Autumn Meeting will be organised in Helsinkion October 30-31st 2013 in connection with a seminar on grey economy and social dumping as well as the BSLF Round Table Meeting.
  • BASTUN will closely follow thework of the Forum for Social Dialogue in the Baltic Sea region as observer.
  • The BASTUN High Level Meeting will be organised in spring 2014. The dates will be communicated during summer 2013 after having consulted the member organisations.
  • The Work Plan for the Finnish presidency 2013-2014 will be introduced at the springmeeting 2013 in St. Petersburg.
  • BASTUN will provide interpretation (English-Russian) for the official meetings when needed.

2 Priorities of the Finnish Presidency

BASTUN’s priorities reflect the political and social situation of the Baltic Sea region. The network follows political discussion and aims to keep relevant issues for trade union movement on the agenda.The presidency sets its political priorities for the presidency period.

The Finnish presidency has the following priorities:

  • cross-border labour markets and mobility in the Baltic Sea Regionand fighting

grey economy and social dumpingin the Baltic Sea Region

  • promoting trade union interests in the Baltic Sea Labour Forum and supporting social dialogue
  • sustainable labour market and jobs

2.1 Cross-border labour markets, greyeconomy and social dumping

The labour markets of the Baltic Sea Region are facing serious challenges in the middle of the economic recession, with persistent high unemployment rates and emigration of skilled labour. Especially in times of crisis, social dialogue and active labour market policies are central tools in overcoming the negative consequences of the crisis and releasing the dynamic, competitive and

social potentials of the Region. Practical, systematic and coordinated efforts are needed to identify barriers to the development of cross-border labour markets and mobility in the Baltic Sea Region as well as practical measures to dismantle and prevent such barriers.

The more integrated Baltic Sea Region has brought new possibilities to wage-earners and our economies but has also created new challenges. While mobility is on the increase, leading to more dynamic labour markets and more possibilities for the economies, workersare potentially at risk of exploitation when working in another country. Especially in vulnerable sectors such as the construction and transport sector, workers run risk of not being treated equally with the local workforce.

Cross-border migration in the Baltic Sea Region still encounters hurdles, be it administrative hurdles between the Nordic countries or physical hurdles such as visa restrictions between EU and Russia. Following closely on the work NFS is doing concerning boarder barriers between the Nordic countries, BASTUN will also follow closely on the developments of the visa-regime between Russia and the EU. Naturally, conditions, rules and labour relations in each country must be identical for foreign and domestic employers and employees and key ILO conventions and international labour standards must be the basis for a decent Baltic Sea labour market. BASTUN will focus on these principles when giving input to the Baltic Sea Labour Forum.

Grey economyis often misleadingly seen as a pure fiscal and economic issue. But in addition to the economic dimension such as dubious cross-border subcontracting chains and tax evasion, there is a strong social dimension to it asgrey economy is foremost about workers’ rights. Taking form as undeclared labour, it is clearly linked to social dumping, serious breaches of occupational health and safety and non-paymentof pension-schemes. This is why trade unions in the Baltic Sea Regions must step up their work in combating grey economy.

The Finnish presidency wants to bring forward best practices and concrete solutions such as improved control mechanisms, joint and several liability measures and ID-cards at work-sites in order to fight these challenges. Co-operation with trade unions and other social partners in both the source and destination countries are of utmost importance; this fight can only be won with joint forces.

During the Finnish presidency:

  • A seminar on grey economy, tax evasion and social dumping will be organised in conjunction with the BASTUN-autumn meeting. The seminar will gather social partners fromacrossthe Baltic Sea region as well as external experts on the issue. The seminar will present current trends and measures on grey economy as well as address challenges related to undeclared labour and social dumping.
  • BASTUN promotes constructive and concrete solutions to the abovementioned challenges. These could be based on best practices already in place around the Baltic Sea Region, such as enforced control mechanisms, joint and several liability measures or ID-cards for employees at work-sites.

2.2 Promoting trade union interests in the Baltic Sea Region and supporting social dialogue

BASTUN’s long term aim is to promote institutionalised social dialogue in the Baltic Sea Region. In this respect BASTUN acknowledges the establishment of the Baltic Sea Labour Forum as a tripartite platform, gathering social partners and governmental organisations from the Baltic Sea Region. Trade unions promote regional cooperation at the Baltic Sea level on a tripartite basis because it is a key element in developing the labour market, safeguarding employees’ rights and reducing social discrimination in the Baltic Sea Region. Tripartite social dialogue should play an important role in the framework of political institutions, such as the EU, Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) and the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC).

During the Finnish presidency, BASTUN will work for a social agenda in the Baltic Sea Region by:

1)Following the work of the Baltic Sea Labour forum as an observer. The overarching goal and long term goal of the Baltic Sea Labour Forumare common and sustainable labour markets in the Baltic Sea Region. One of the main topics of the BSLF in the coming year will be mobility of labour, which is a major challenge throughout the Baltic Sea Region. It is also important to maintain a strong stance on youth unemployment while seeking to find creative solutions to get young people to the labour market.

As an observer, BASTUN supports the further development of the tripartite Forum for Social Dialogue in the Baltic Sea Region under the auspices of the Council of Baltic Sea States.

  • The Forum will assemble once a year in a tripartite Round Table meeting, hold steering committee and enlarged steering committee meetings as well as working group meetings. The secretariat of the Forum is hosted by the CBSS in Stockholm.
  • BASTUN will, as an observer, follow the BSLF Round table meeting to be held in Helsinki on the 1st of November 2013.

Two working groups have been created, on youth unemployment and mobility of labour respectively. STTK is co-chairing the working group on mobility of labour together with employer organisation Nordmetall from Germany. DGB Nord together with the Latvian employer organisation is chairing the working group on youth unemployment.

2)Trying to achieve a balanced representation of trade union interests with the business interests in the CBSS and BSPC, and in the context of the implementation of the EU Baltic Sea Strategy and the Northern Dimension.

3)Focusing on challenges connected to mobility of labour as they are a key issue.

4)Emphasising the importance of creating a stronger social dimension for the EU Baltic Sea Strategy based on document “The Baltic Sea Strategy for Fair and Functional Labour Markets. Trade Union Standpoints on the Baltic Sea Strategy”.

2.3Sustainable labour market and jobs

The Baltic Sea Region continues feel the impacts of the financial crisis, including high levels of debt and unemployment, increased income inequality and even social unrest. More people are unemployed and have precarious jobs, and more and more countries are finding it difficult to live up to their citizens’ expectations, especially since the onset of the financial crisis.

At the same time, the global environment and climate are also under pressure from increasing emissions and exploitation of natural resources. Climate change and environmental problems challenge our notions about, and hopes for, continued growth and welfare. Future economic growth and development must take place in symbiosis with nature, and take greater advantage than in the past of the business and development potential of environmental technology. A cleaner Baltic Sea for example would increase the attractiveness of our region and could bring more jobs in the tourist and recreational sector across the Baltic Sea Region.

The intertwined challenges we face require new ways of thinking. It is the task of the politicians, the social partners and all the other stakeholders in society to do what we can to transform these challenges to opportunities. We can do this by being future-oriented and dynamic, and by working together to adapt our societies, making them economically, socially and ecologically sustainable.

The Nordic and Baltic trade unions must play a key role in developing a sustainable, and value-creating working life based on both know-how and solidarity. Future solutions in society must be characterized by a combination of robust resistance and an inherent ability to restore, develop and renew – referred to as resilience.

During the Finnish presidency, BASTUN will together with the Council of Nordic Trade Unions and other actors work for full employment, job security, continuous enhancement of skills in working life, and improvements in the work environment, reduced environmental impact, increased resource efficiency, trade union rights and other human rights, as well as fair distribution at national and international levels.

3Cooperation within the trade union movement

BASTUN cooperates and organises different actions with all trade union organisations that have interests in the Baltic Sea region. Through the cooperation, the network helps its member organisations to get their voice heard in international discussions within the trade union movement.

The most important cooperation partners are: European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Pan-European Regional Council (PERC), the Council of Nordic Trade Unions (NFS) and some of the Nordic sector trade union confederations, namely Nordic IN, Confederation of the Nordic Bank, Finance and Insurance Unions (NFU), Nordic Transport Workers’ Confederation (NTF), Nordic Federation of Building and Woodworkers (NBTF), Nordic Hotel, Restaurant, Catering and Tourist Confederation (NU HRCT). BASTUN also cooperates with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and also with other foundations when needed.

The Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Union (BKDP) represents the Belarusian free trade unions. The BKDP is a strategic partner of BASTUN since 2006. BASTUN works for coordinating international support given to the Belarusian free trade union movement. The support includes financial and political dimension.

During the Finnish Presidency:

  • BASTUN will participate in trade union discussions in terms of Baltic Sea affairs.
  • BASTUN will influence political processes in terms of Baltic Sea issues in cooperation with ETUC, NFS and PERC and Nordic sector trade union confederations.
  • BASTUN meetings and activities will be open to different trade union actors. The aim is to maximize the coordination and information exchange between different trade union actors.
  • BASTUN will follow the discussions on strategic planning of international support to the Belarusian free trade unions
  • BASTUN continues the work of keeping the Belarusian free trade unions on the political agenda in national and international context.

4Trade union influence

One of the BASTUN’s main tasks is political and social influencing. The basic principle is that the network acts in all forums that are relevant in terms of the political processes concerning joint interests. Besides political influencing BASTUN coordinates and takes part in projects that have a social or political impact on the region.

4.1 International interest representation and contacts to other actors

There are various international actors that coordinate and define actions and goals within the Baltic Sea region. These international organisations and bodies are channels for BASTUN to follow and influence political processes. In addition to the ones listed beneath, BASTUN keeps it eyes open and is mapping possible alliances with other organisations and stakeholders.

4.1.1Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS)

From BASTUN point of view there are threemainroles of cooperation with CBSS in 2013-2014:

1)As a partner and as a secretariat for the Forum for Social Dialogue for the Baltic Sea Region.

2)As an initiator of a process to create an information point for migrant workers in the Baltic Sea Region.

3)As a provider of expertise and training in terms of trafficking and forced labour exploitation.

During the Finnish presidency:

  • BASTUN will follow the workof the Baltic Sea Labour Forum as an observer and promote trade union interests.
  • BASTUN will participate in the relevant meetings of the CBSS and represent trade unions of the Baltic Sea region.
  • BASTUN secretariat will maintain close contactwith the CBSS secretariat.

4.1.2 Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)

BASTUN is active in parliamentary cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. BSPChas labour market, counter-trafficking/forced labour exploitation and social issueshigh on its agenda.

During the Finnish presidency:

  • BASTUN will work together with BSPC and CBSS to continue to develop a tripartite forum for social dialogue in the Baltic Sea region.
  • BASTUN will possibly participate in the 21st Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Pärnu on 25-27 August 2013. The theme of the 20th BSPC is "Sustainable Innovation for a competitive region”
  • BASTUN secretariat maintains contacts to key persons in BSPC’s political framework (BSPC’s chair and secretariat).

4.1.3 Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC)

Norwayhas the presidencyuntil the end of2013.

During the Finnish presidency:

  • BASTUN representation in the BEAC is flexible. The secretariat and other interested member organizations may participate when needed.

4.1.4 Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) and Nordic Council (NC)

The NCM and NC work with Baltic Sea issues and are important actors in the Baltic Sea region. BASTUN has not direct representation inthe NCM or the NC. Trade unions are represented bythe Council of Nordic Trade Unions.

During the Finnish presidency

  • BASTUN will follow the NCM and the NC through the NFS.
  • Relevant information will be distributed through the network

4.1.5 European Union (EU)

BASTUN’s main context regarding any contact to EU institutions is the policies of the Northern Dimension and Baltic Sea region. In this connection relations to the EU institutions are relevant.

During the Finnish presidency:

  • BASTUN will maintain relevant contacts to the Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and other EU institutions.
  • BASTUN will follow and influence the implementation of the “Baltic Sea Strategy” and engage in discussion for any follow-up, especially in terms of financing.

4.2Project Activities

One of BASTUN’s tasks is to support and coordinate joint international projects that havea social or political impact on the region. The projects are an operational tool to influence social development of the Baltic Sea region.

During the Finnish presidency:

  • BASTUN will keep track on the trade union projects in the Baltic Sea region, with a special regard to the Baltic Organising Academy, which has already showed positive examples in raising organisation rate at some Estonian worksites.

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