02/09/2020 (Agence Europe) – The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) called on national governments on 1 September to maintain emergency employment protection measures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Job losses continue, according to trade unions, and the number of unemployed in the Union now stands at 15 million (see EUROPE 12550/23). In addition, 45 million short-time workers are threatened with permanent unemployment if emergency measures are not extended, the unions said in a statement. Apart from France, Austria and Germany, few national governments have so far announced any extension of the job protection measures put in place since the spread of the coronavirus. (PH)