More than a decade ago, the OECD has estimated that up to 80% of trade is affected by standards and associated technical regulations. The relevance of standards for trade unions is multifaceted. The extending scope of European and international standards, their role in framing market competition and industrial strategies and the formal devolution of power to standard-setting bodies provide a strong rationale to strengthen our intervention in European standardisation.
Furthermore, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has released a newsletter entitled PC Standardisation/Request for Lobby with your National Standardisation Body, dated 16 June 2017 saying:
'... underlining that many of the areas subject to standardisation are political by nature and should thus be channeled through democratic decision-making procedures rather than private standardisation committees, insists on the autonomy of social partners and respect of collective bargaining and agreements potentially challenged by standards.'
However, 'the ETUC recognises that working conditions are among the major societal challenges that standards can help address on the condition that trade unions are appropriately represented and can effectively participates in standardisation arenas.'
In view of the above, the GWU and the GWU – Youths will be organising a half-day Conference regarding the subject in caption. The Conference is envisaged to take place on Friday 24 November 2017. The Conference is being organised in conjunction with the European trade Union Confederation (ETUC) as well as with support of the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA).
