The Social Partners
The Brussels Liaison Office is in regular contact with the main employers organizations and trade unions
of the Benelux countries as well as with their representations at the International/European level.
These organizations may be listed in various categories:
- Trade Unions
- At International/European Level
- At National Level (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg)
- Employers Organizations
- At International/European Level
- At National Level (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg)
Trade Unions
At International/European Level.
ETUC. The European Trade Union
Confederation was established in 1973 to provide a trade union counterbalance to the economic forces of
European integration. Following the changes in Central and Eastern Europe, a large number of new trade
unions have joined its ranks. At present, the ETUC has in its membership 77 National Trade Union Confederations
from a total of 35 European countries as well as 11 European industry federations making a total of over 60 million members.
The ETUC is recognised by the European Union by the Council of Europe and by EFTA as the only representative cross-sectoral trade union organisation
at European level. The General Secretary, Mr. J. MONKS, elected at the 10th Congress in May 2003, is the
highest-ranking official and and spokesperson of the Confederation. The President, Mr. C. MENDEZ RODRIGUEZ
(UGT Spain) presides over the executive bodies of the ETUC.
ITUC.
The International Trade Union Confederation was established in Vienna on 1 November 2006 by trade unions affiliated to the now dissolved
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and World Confederation of Labour (WCL), plus a number of other national trade unions.
The new confederation, which represents 307 unions in 154 countries and has 168 million individual members, was formed to give workers around
the world a stronger voice to meet the challenges posed by globalisation. Its Constitution and programme pledge full support for the ILO and
its mission of promoting decent jobs for all and fair globalisation. The main goals set out in the ITUC Constitution include strengthening the
role of the ILO and ensuring the universal application of international labour standards. The ILO's Governing Body has officially conferred
general advisory status upon ITUC.
Its General Secretary is Mr. G. RYDER and the current ITUC president is Ms. Sharan BURROW .
At National Level
Belgium
FGTB/ABVV The Fédération Générale
du Travail de Belgique (General Federation of Labour in Belgium) is the socialist trade union of Belgium.
Created in 1898, it is now representing nearly 1.3 million workers from all the economic sectors of the country.
The FGTB is now headed by its President Mr. Rudy DE LEEUW. The FGTB takes an active part in the ILO's work.
The FGTB is part of the International Trade Union Confederation as well as of the European Trade
Union Confederation.
CSC/ACV The Confédération des Syndicats
Chrétiens (Confederation of Christian Trade Unions) was created in 1912. Representing 1.7 million Belgian workers,
it is now the largest trade union of this country. The CSC takes an active part in the ILO's work. The CSC is part of the
International Trade Union Confederation as well as of the European Trade Union Confederation. The CSC is now headed by President,
Mr. L. CORTEBEECK.
CGSLB/ACLVB The Centrale Genérale des
Syndicats Libéraux de Belgique (General Union of Belgian Liberal Trade Unions) was created in 1939.
It represents 220.000 workers and is part of the International Trade Union Confederation and the European Trade Union Confederation.
The CGSLB is now headed by its President, Mr. J. VERCAMST.
The Netherlands
CNV. The Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond
(National Federation of the Christian Trade Unions) was created in 1909 and it represents 360.000 members from all
the economic sectors of the country. The CNV is part of the ETUC and of the WCL where it
participates actively to some international cooperation operations. The CNV is now headed by President, Mr. R. PAAS.
FNV. The Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging
(Federation of Dutch Trade Unions) is the major trade union of the Netherlands (1.230.000 members). Now headed by
President, Ms. A. JONGERIUS; its Secretary for International Relations, Mr. T. ETTY, is a member of the Workers group
of the Governing Body of the ILO. The FNV takes part in the work of the ILO as well of the ICFTU and the ETUC.
MHP. The MHP, Trade Unions Federation for
independent workers and cadres, was established in 1974. In total, there are 160.000 members affiliated.
The President of MHP is Mr. A. VERHOEVEN.
Luxemburg
LCGB. The Lëtzebuerger
Chrëschtleche Gewerkschafts-Bond (Christian Luxembourg Trade Union) is the Christian Democratic trade union
of Luxembourg. Representing 38.000 members, the LCGB is part of the WCL and of the ETUC.
The LGGB is now headed by President Mr. R. WEBER.
OGB-L . The Onofhängege Gewerkschafts-Bond Lëtzebuerg (Independent Trade Union
Confederation of Luxemburg) is the major trade union of this country
(57.000 members from all the economic sectors). Headed by President Mr. JC. REDING, the OGB-L takes part in the
work of the ILO as well as of the ICFTU and the ETUC.
Employers Organizations :
At the International/European Level.
BUSINESSEUROPE : The Confederation of European Business:
In January 2007, the organization changed its name. Formerly known as UNICE (Union of Industrial and Employers'
Confederations of Europe), this organization is the official representation of industrialists and employers at the European
Union's level. It consists of 39 members from 33 different countries, including the European Union countries, the European
Economic Area countries, and some central end Eastern European countries. The current structure, which includes seven
general policy Committees and about sixty Working Groups, promotes the common professional interests of the companies it
represents and participates on behalf of its members in the dialogue between social partners enshrined in the Treaty on
European Union. BUSINESSEUROPE is governed by the Council of Presidents. Its General Secretary is Mr. Ph. de BUCK.
At the National Level.
Belgium
FEB. The Federation of
Enterprises in Belgium is this country's only multisector employers' organization.The FEB is active in all
areas of interest to business, focusing in particular on economic, social, fiscal and legal questions as
well as European and international issues. The FEB, strives to achieve the best possible business climate
and promotes the interests of the business community at federal, European and international level.
The FEB is a member of BUSINESSEUROPE (The Confederation of European Business), and the I.O.E. (International Organization of
Employers). It also sits on the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) and represents
the Belgian employers at the ILO.
The FEB is led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. R. THOMAES.
The Netherlands
Vereniging VNO-NCW (more information
available in Dutch only). Vereniging VNO-NCW is the most important employers' organization in the Netherlands.
The official name Vereniging VNO-NCW results from the 1996 merging operation between the VNO(Verbond van Nederlandse
Ondernemingen- Union of Dutch Entreprises) and the NCW (Nederlands Christelijk Werkgeversverbond- Christian
Dutch Employers Organization). Its membership represents around 80 % of the Dutch employers. Vereniging
VNO-NCW is headed by Director General, Mr. N.J.J. VAN KESTEREN.
Luxemburg
FEDIL The Federation of Luxembourg
Industrialists is the main employers' organization in Luxemburg.Created in 1918, it represents most of the large,
medium-sized or small enterprises of Luxemburg. The FEDIL is member of the UNICE and the I.O.E. It also sits on the
OECD and represents the Luxemburg employers at the ILO. The FEDIL is now headed by President, Mr. Ch. KROMBACH.
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