Empowerment & Networking of EWC-professionals

19 participants of 5 European countries representing national and European trade unions met to discuss and evaluate the current situation concerning the protection of personal employee data in the different member countries.

The goals of the meeting were to initiate discussion, to promote networking of union experts, to exchange national experiences, to brainstorm about possible European frameworks and to discuss the launch of an EU-project about employee data protection.

At day 1 the participants had the opportunity to gain information about the different levels of sensitivity and specific legislation in the different member countries. 3 working groups discussed the national differences focusing on authorities, union activities and legislation. It became obvious, that northern and central European countries seem to have a significant higher level of awareness and regulation than southern European countries.

At day 2, an overview about international papers and positions on workers data protection and the problems we are still facing with was given. The participants discussed what it would need to enhance employee data protection, what possible elements could be part of a framework and concrete suggestions how to improve the situation.

Finally, the upcoming revision of the respective directive XXXXX, and the requirements for trade unions to formulate their demands and to lobby for changes in the directive in favour of European employees was discussed. All participants were basically interested to apply for funding of a European Workers Data Protection Project, but expressed their concerns whether their trade union organisation could afford the necessary headcount for running such a project.

Main conclusions:

• Collect more information about problems in companies
• Based on problems, check weak points in current directive
• Define role of EWC’s
• Draft clear demands by national unions to ETUC
• Start lobbying at European level soon
• Start lobbying at European Parliament