Geopolitical instability: defence expenditure and workers' rights

The meeting, which takes place in the afternoon, will explore how shifts in the global landscape are impacting labour markets and European workers. After introductions by Lucie Studničná (Workers' Group President), José Cepeda (MEP, S&D Group) and Claes-Mikael Ståhl (ETUC Deputy General Secretary), experts from trade unions, the EP and academia will assess the EU's current position and future direction on geopolitics, peace, defence, and internal reform amidst emerging global challenges, including the conflict in the Middle East. Expected key speakers in this first session will be Isabelle Barthès (Deputy General Secretary, IndustriAll Europe), Marco Tarquinio (MEP, S&D Group), and Rolph van der Hoeven (Emeritus professor at ISS, The Hague). 

The second session will specifically focus on the budget shifts towards increased defence spending and their impact on social welfare and social security. Participants will discuss how workers’ rights and protections can be defended and upheld under these new conditions. Expected key speakers will be Béla Galgóczi (Senior research officer ETUI), Gábor Márk Pellényi (DG ECFIN, European Commission) and Patrick Kaczmarczyk (Ph.D. Mannheim University).