On November 13, 2024, Christopher Vella, attended the Fundamental Rights and Litigation Advisory Group Meeting in Brussels. The event, organized by ETUCLEX and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), gathered legal experts and employment law advocates to discuss significant recent developments in Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) case law impacting workers’ rights across Europe.
The meeting offered a unique opportunity for Dr. Vella and other EU labour law specialists to engage in discussions on landmark cases that could shape labour rights throughout the region, particularly in areas such as the right to strike, minimum wage policies, rights of part-time workers and employee privacy.
Key Cases Discussed at the Meeting
During the conference, participants focused on several pivotal cases recently decided or pending before the CJEU. These cases are poised to affect labour rights and practices across the EU, underscoring the growing importance of EU legislation in defining and protecting workers’ rights.
The Right to Strike and Collective Action
A central theme of the discussions was the right to strike, which is recognized as a fundamental component of collective labour rights within the EU. Recent CJEU judgments affirm the right to strike as an essential part of workers’ freedom of association, a principle protected under EU law. These judgments help clarify the balance between workers’ right to collective action and employers’ operational interests, further strengthening protections for individuals participating in lawful strikes.
Denmark vs. EP/Council, Case C-19/23: Minimum Wage Standards
One of the most closely watched cases discussed was Case C-19/23, Denmark vs. EP/Council, addressing minimum wage standards across the EU. In this case, Denmark challenged aspects of EU minimum wage directives, asserting that they infringe upon national sovereignty in setting wage policies. The CJEU’s ruling will have significant implications for how minimum wage laws are implemented across Member States and may redefine the boundary between EU-wide labour protections and national economic autonomy. This case has drawn considerable attention, as its outcome could impact wage-setting practices in several EU nations.
Kuratorium Cases C-184/22 and C-185/22: Collective Bargaining in the Public Sector
The Kuratorium cases (C-184/22 and C-185/22) focus on collective bargaining rights and the role of public sector bodies in facilitating or impeding labour negotiations. These cases highlight the importance of maintaining the integrity of collective bargaining agreements and could set new standards for how public institutions engage with trade unions. Participants at the conference discussed how these cases may affect collective bargaining across the EU, particularly within the public sector, where labour organizations seek fair representation and bargaining power.
Reflections on Labour Rights and EU Law
The meeting reinforced the CJEU’s vital role in shaping the landscape of fundamental labour rights in the EU. Each of these cases represents a step forward in defining and protecting labour rights, particularly as economic pressures and new technologies transform the modern workplace. Dr. Vella, alongside other legal professionals, discussed the importance of strong, enforceable labour protections that uphold dignity, fairness, and security for workers across all EU Member States.
Christopher Vella was attending the meeting on behalf of the General Workers’ Union.
Commitment to Advancing Labor Rights
Christopher Vella and Old Mint Legal are committed to advancing labour rights in Malta and throughout the EU, drawing on the latest developments in case law and regulatory standards. The insights Dr. Vella gained at the Fundamental Rights and Litigation Advisory Group Meeting will contribute to his continued advocacy for fair and robust protections for workers.
Old Mint Legal is available to advise on how these recent developments may impact workers’ rights and employer responsibilities from an EU law and national perspective.
