28/01/25 (Agence Europe) – The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is concerned that the 28th regime promised by the European Commission to simplify the rules for businesses will level workers’ rights downwards. The Confederation’s General Secretary, Esther Lynch, sent a letter to the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Monday 27 January, expressing these concerns. A single set of rules for companies means aligning with the employment directives, says Ms Lynch. However, these only impose minimum rules, and the possibility for Member States to adopt a more ambitious framework must be maintained, she insists. For her, the EU’s ‘Competitiveness Compass’ must not become “a threat to workers”. The ETUC is calling for a guarantee that a 28th regime will not encompass labour law, in particular the right to strike and collective bargaining. (LM)