The maritime technology sector provides 900,000 jobs (direct and indirect) in Europe. These are high-quality jobs and are crucial for many communities and regions across Europe. In light of the major challenges faced by the sector, including unfair state aid from third countries, the EU must ensure that the sector is supported, and invested in, to protect thousands of jobs in Europe.

Luis Colunga, Deputy General Secretary for industriAll Europe said: “Workers’ demands to the EU are clear, we need a renewed European industrial policy for the sector with employees’ at its core. We need a more comprehensive EU maritime industries’ policy which ensures that EU policies and funds support workers in the shipbuilding and maritime technology sectors and their communities.

‘’Our high-level event at the European Parliament was a great success and Commission representatives and MEPs acknowledged the concerns and demands of European trade unions. IndustriAll Europe will continue to work with our members to demand EU action to ensure that we are producing the most innovative vessels and equipment to remain world leaders.

‘’It is important to mark 15 years of European social dialogue and the progress that has been made between employees and employers. However, there is still much to do, and we will continue to work with our social partners to promote social conditions and workers’ rights in the shipbuilding and maritime technology sectors.’’ 

Read the European Social Partners Manifesto HERE.