Andrew Watt
@andrewwatteu.bsky.social
General Director, European Trade Union Institute
@etui.bsky.social
Formerly www.imk-boeckler.de
EU economic governance, comparative political economy, European integration, socio-ecological transition, wage bargaining
Deutschland-Versteher
Vietnam
@etui.bsky.social
Formerly www.imk-boeckler.de
EU economic governance, comparative political economy, European integration, socio-ecological transition, wage bargaining
Deutschland-Versteher
Vietnam
Workers have been collectively going on strike for fair pay and better conditions for a long time.
As far as we know, for more than three thousand years.
As far as we know, for more than three thousand years.
November 14, 1152 BCE: the first recorded workers' strike occurred in ancient Egypt under Pharaoh Ramses III. Artisans and laborers working on the royal tombs at Deir el-Medina stopped working in protest of delayed and insufficient rations, a form of wages. collezioni.museoegizio.it/en-GB/materi...
November 14, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Workers have been collectively going on strike for fair pay and better conditions for a long time.
As far as we know, for more than three thousand years.
As far as we know, for more than three thousand years.
I've often heard the claim that inner-EU regulatory barriers are equivalent to a tariff of almost 50%. It always felt wildly implausible. Good that it is now being subject to serious scrutiny 👇
It doesn't hold up.
Policymakers are looking for the keys under the lamppost, not where they lost them
1/2
It doesn't hold up.
Policymakers are looking for the keys under the lamppost, not where they lost them
1/2
@ckhead.bsky.social & @thierry-mayer.bsky.social argue that the recent estimate of an equivalent 45% tariff in intra-EU costs is likely too high & vastly overstates the barriers which could be lowered due to Commission policy decisions.
cepr.org/voxeu/column...
#EconSky
cepr.org/voxeu/column...
#EconSky
November 13, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I've often heard the claim that inner-EU regulatory barriers are equivalent to a tariff of almost 50%. It always felt wildly implausible. Good that it is now being subject to serious scrutiny 👇
It doesn't hold up.
Policymakers are looking for the keys under the lamppost, not where they lost them
1/2
It doesn't hold up.
Policymakers are looking for the keys under the lamppost, not where they lost them
1/2
It is a huge relief that the European Court of Justice has rejected the demand by Denmark and Sweden to annul the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive.
A resume of the judgement in FR is here: curia.europa.eu/juris/docume...
1/2
A resume of the judgement in FR is here: curia.europa.eu/juris/docume...
1/2
CURIA - Documents
curia.europa.eu
November 11, 2025 at 11:57 AM
It is a huge relief that the European Court of Justice has rejected the demand by Denmark and Sweden to annul the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive.
A resume of the judgement in FR is here: curia.europa.eu/juris/docume...
1/2
A resume of the judgement in FR is here: curia.europa.eu/juris/docume...
1/2
The @etui.bsky.social is holding its annual Future of Work conference on 10-11 February 2026
If you want to present work in this area, submit an abstract
🚨 by November 14th 🚨
Details see:
www.etui.org/events/futur...
If you want to present work in this area, submit an abstract
🚨 by November 14th 🚨
Details see:
www.etui.org/events/futur...
www.etui.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:35 AM
The @etui.bsky.social is holding its annual Future of Work conference on 10-11 February 2026
If you want to present work in this area, submit an abstract
🚨 by November 14th 🚨
Details see:
www.etui.org/events/futur...
If you want to present work in this area, submit an abstract
🚨 by November 14th 🚨
Details see:
www.etui.org/events/futur...
A short overview of last week's event on the challenges facing the EU and German economies, with Peter Bofinger and Laszlo Andor.
🚨 Link to Prof. Bofinger's slides at the bottom!
🚨 Link to Prof. Bofinger's slides at the bottom!
‘The only thing that is certain is that nothing is certain’
A fitting introduction from ETUI General Director @andrewwatteu.bsky.social to our recent event 'The global economy in stormy times', with speaker Peter Bofinger and discussant László Andor 🌍
🧵👇
A fitting introduction from ETUI General Director @andrewwatteu.bsky.social to our recent event 'The global economy in stormy times', with speaker Peter Bofinger and discussant László Andor 🌍
🧵👇
November 5, 2025 at 6:31 PM
A short overview of last week's event on the challenges facing the EU and German economies, with Peter Bofinger and Laszlo Andor.
🚨 Link to Prof. Bofinger's slides at the bottom!
🚨 Link to Prof. Bofinger's slides at the bottom!
www.politico.eu/article/epp-...
Apart from the substantive damage to the EU's green agenda, this is an extremely worrying development: the centre-right (EPP) is demonstrating its willingness to get into bed with the hard right. This opportunism puts the pro-European, pragmatic coalition at risk.
Apart from the substantive damage to the EU's green agenda, this is an extremely worrying development: the centre-right (EPP) is demonstrating its willingness to get into bed with the hard right. This opportunism puts the pro-European, pragmatic coalition at risk.
EU’s biggest political group bets on far-right support to cut green rules
Push to slash red tape drives an ever-bigger wedge between Europe’s traditional centrist coalition.
www.politico.eu
November 5, 2025 at 5:52 PM
www.politico.eu/article/epp-...
Apart from the substantive damage to the EU's green agenda, this is an extremely worrying development: the centre-right (EPP) is demonstrating its willingness to get into bed with the hard right. This opportunism puts the pro-European, pragmatic coalition at risk.
Apart from the substantive damage to the EU's green agenda, this is an extremely worrying development: the centre-right (EPP) is demonstrating its willingness to get into bed with the hard right. This opportunism puts the pro-European, pragmatic coalition at risk.
In Germany around half of all employees receive a Christmas bonus payment #Weihnachtsgeld.*
But this is true of more than three quarters of workers in firms with a collective agreement, but only about 40% of those without.
* Often a fixed % of the monthly wage, sometimes a fixed absolute amount
But this is true of more than three quarters of workers in firms with a collective agreement, but only about 40% of those without.
* Often a fixed % of the monthly wage, sometimes a fixed absolute amount
Ein #Tarifvertrag lohnt sich: nicht nur, aber gerade auch zu #Weihnachten. 77 % der Arbeitnehmer*innen mit Tarif können sich auf ein #Weihnachtsgeld freuen – fehlt der Tarifvertrag, sind es nur 41 % !
Aktuelle Auswertung von Lohnspiegel.de und WSI-Tarifarchiv ➡️ www.boeckler.de/data/pm_ta_2...
Aktuelle Auswertung von Lohnspiegel.de und WSI-Tarifarchiv ➡️ www.boeckler.de/data/pm_ta_2...
November 5, 2025 at 9:14 AM
In Germany around half of all employees receive a Christmas bonus payment #Weihnachtsgeld.*
But this is true of more than three quarters of workers in firms with a collective agreement, but only about 40% of those without.
* Often a fixed % of the monthly wage, sometimes a fixed absolute amount
But this is true of more than three quarters of workers in firms with a collective agreement, but only about 40% of those without.
* Often a fixed % of the monthly wage, sometimes a fixed absolute amount
Very interesting article, unfortunately paywalled, that shows just how fragmented and complex class, party-political, racial and religious allegiances have become in the US.
www.ft.com/content/e0a2...
@jonathanhopkin.bsky.social
1
www.ft.com/content/e0a2...
@jonathanhopkin.bsky.social
1
The ascension of America’s Catholic right
Catholics and labour groups are re-emerging as a powerful force in the new political landscape — and their votes are up for grabs as never before
www.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Very interesting article, unfortunately paywalled, that shows just how fragmented and complex class, party-political, racial and religious allegiances have become in the US.
www.ft.com/content/e0a2...
@jonathanhopkin.bsky.social
1
www.ft.com/content/e0a2...
@jonathanhopkin.bsky.social
1
If you are in Brussels, don't miss our event tomorrow with Peter Bofinger and Laszlo Andor. Details 👇
PS
🚨 Brussels-based followers 🚨
This Thursday @etui.bsky.social is hosting a presentation on the prospects for the German and European economies by Peter Bofinger, with Laszlo Andor.
www.etui.org/events/globa...
🚨 Brussels-based followers 🚨
This Thursday @etui.bsky.social is hosting a presentation on the prospects for the German and European economies by Peter Bofinger, with Laszlo Andor.
www.etui.org/events/globa...
www.etui.org
October 29, 2025 at 10:14 AM
If you are in Brussels, don't miss our event tomorrow with Peter Bofinger and Laszlo Andor. Details 👇
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
Yes, Europe needs to do more to ensure its own defence and wean itself off US dependence. But for Germany to splurge hundreds of billions on military hardware is economic and political madness.
Short 🧵
1/
Yes, Europe needs to do more to ensure its own defence and wean itself off US dependence. But for Germany to splurge hundreds of billions on military hardware is economic and political madness.
Short 🧵
1/
Germany’s new €377B military wish list
A new procurement blueprint seen by POLITICO shows Germany’s plan to become the backbone of the continent’s defense revival.
www.politico.eu
October 27, 2025 at 9:49 AM
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
Yes, Europe needs to do more to ensure its own defence and wean itself off US dependence. But for Germany to splurge hundreds of billions on military hardware is economic and political madness.
Short 🧵
1/
Yes, Europe needs to do more to ensure its own defence and wean itself off US dependence. But for Germany to splurge hundreds of billions on military hardware is economic and political madness.
Short 🧵
1/
open.substack.com/pub/laszloan...
Housing is rapidly moving up the EU policy agenda. Laszlo Andor covers some recent developments here.
Housing is rapidly moving up the EU policy agenda. Laszlo Andor covers some recent developments here.
Housing on the European Council agenda
More investment and some regulation needed to address acute crisis
open.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:57 AM
open.substack.com/pub/laszloan...
Housing is rapidly moving up the EU policy agenda. Laszlo Andor covers some recent developments here.
Housing is rapidly moving up the EU policy agenda. Laszlo Andor covers some recent developments here.
2 (paywalled) FT reports on.ft.com/4olkLoi & on.ft.com/4omXW3F detail the massive corruption at the heart of US pol & econ system. Inefficient and polarising at the best of times, such a system is highly unstable. The crypto swamp in particular creates little of value, but massive risks of crisis.
How dozens of Trump’s donors have benefited from his second term
While previous presidents have introduced policies that have helped supporters, such incidents are now more common and overt
on.ft.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:52 AM
2 (paywalled) FT reports on.ft.com/4olkLoi & on.ft.com/4omXW3F detail the massive corruption at the heart of US pol & econ system. Inefficient and polarising at the best of times, such a system is highly unstable. The crypto swamp in particular creates little of value, but massive risks of crisis.
Faced with Trumps' tariff chaos, the EU needs to reach a understanding with China, to reduce disruption. But it cannot be based on China massively diverting sales from US to EU while curtailing exports of critical materials for European production and clean tech on.ft.com/42FMvvI
October 13, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Faced with Trumps' tariff chaos, the EU needs to reach a understanding with China, to reduce disruption. But it cannot be based on China massively diverting sales from US to EU while curtailing exports of critical materials for European production and clean tech on.ft.com/42FMvvI
@fsaraceno.bsky.social on Europe's failure to kickstart investment, one year after the Draghi Report
fsaraceno.wordpress.com/2025/10/07/t...
fsaraceno.wordpress.com/2025/10/07/t...
The Draghi Report, One Year Later: Europe Still at the Starting Blocks
One year after the Draghi Report, Europe remains trapped in a cycle of low productivity and weak investment
fsaraceno.wordpress.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:22 AM
@fsaraceno.bsky.social on Europe's failure to kickstart investment, one year after the Draghi Report
fsaraceno.wordpress.com/2025/10/07/t...
fsaraceno.wordpress.com/2025/10/07/t...
The key message in the Draghi report was not deregulation but the need to boost public and private investment. This new paper underlines the positive role public investment can play in such a strategy.
In a new paper, we provide fresh evidence on the macroeconomic effects of public investment in 27 EU member states. We find that public investment has favorable effects on output and unemployment; doesn't crowd out private investment; and doesn't jeopardise debt sustainability.
October 9, 2025 at 3:42 AM
The key message in the Draghi report was not deregulation but the need to boost public and private investment. This new paper underlines the positive role public investment can play in such a strategy.
Europe, take note. Act accordingly.
If you’ve heard about Trump’s unprecedented and deeply frightening “speech” to all US military leaders today, but you didn’t watch it and aren’t sure what the concern is, this is worth watching. And if you’re still not frightened yet, you should be. youtu.be/v-7bB_UHmRc?...
Trump’s unlawful call for ‘war’ on citizens met with stony silence from generals
YouTube video by MSNBC
youtu.be
October 1, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Europe, take note. Act accordingly.
Right-wing governments talking the pro-worker talk and walking all over the workers.
Finland edition
bsky.app/profile/jmko...
Finland edition
bsky.app/profile/jmko...
This graph shows #unemployment in the Eurozone and #Finland.
Can you spot when the most right wing government in Finland’s history took power?
Please learn from the mistakes of others.
Can you spot when the most right wing government in Finland’s history took power?
Please learn from the mistakes of others.
Mitä tapahtui 2023?
- Orpon hallitus.
- Orpon hallitus.
September 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Right-wing governments talking the pro-worker talk and walking all over the workers.
Finland edition
bsky.app/profile/jmko...
Finland edition
bsky.app/profile/jmko...
The #Draghi Report rightly drew attention to the difficulties that European companies face in scaling up.
One of the proposed solutions is an EU-wide "28th regime" for innovative companies.
This analysis shows that serious pitfalls must be avoided & safeguards instituted if this proposal is to work.
One of the proposed solutions is an EU-wide "28th regime" for innovative companies.
This analysis shows that serious pitfalls must be avoided & safeguards instituted if this proposal is to work.
⚖️ ⚠️ Evidence shows that the European Commission's #28thRegime proposal will have an inevitable impact in areas beyond company law, such as labour law, taxation, insolvency and social security
🧵 👇
🧵 👇
September 25, 2025 at 11:26 AM
The #Draghi Report rightly drew attention to the difficulties that European companies face in scaling up.
One of the proposed solutions is an EU-wide "28th regime" for innovative companies.
This analysis shows that serious pitfalls must be avoided & safeguards instituted if this proposal is to work.
One of the proposed solutions is an EU-wide "28th regime" for innovative companies.
This analysis shows that serious pitfalls must be avoided & safeguards instituted if this proposal is to work.
Is there a doctor in the house?
The most powerful person on the planet glaringly obviously has serious mental health problems and no-one is doing anything about it.
The most powerful person on the planet glaringly obviously has serious mental health problems and no-one is doing anything about it.
This is madness.
Trump: "It's too much liquid. Too many different things are going into that baby at too big a number. The size of this thing when you look at it. It's like 80 different vaccines and beyond vaccines."
September 23, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Is there a doctor in the house?
The most powerful person on the planet glaringly obviously has serious mental health problems and no-one is doing anything about it.
The most powerful person on the planet glaringly obviously has serious mental health problems and no-one is doing anything about it.
Kudos, indeed, to Spain and PM Sanchez for breaking the taboo in Europe.
At the same time it is worth noting that, from a global perspective, Europe/OECD lags well behind world opinion on Palestine.
(Source: @theguardian.com )
At the same time it is worth noting that, from a global perspective, Europe/OECD lags well behind world opinion on Palestine.
(Source: @theguardian.com )
September 21, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Kudos, indeed, to Spain and PM Sanchez for breaking the taboo in Europe.
At the same time it is worth noting that, from a global perspective, Europe/OECD lags well behind world opinion on Palestine.
(Source: @theguardian.com )
At the same time it is worth noting that, from a global perspective, Europe/OECD lags well behind world opinion on Palestine.
(Source: @theguardian.com )
Trump makes a Bond Villain look like a cute kitten.
In hock to the fossil fuel industry, his administration is systematically seeking to destroy the renewable energy industry in order to restore "carbon dominance". This is risking the lives of millions of people for financial and political gain.
In hock to the fossil fuel industry, his administration is systematically seeking to destroy the renewable energy industry in order to restore "carbon dominance". This is risking the lives of millions of people for financial and political gain.
The Trump administration appears to be trying to make a global war on renewables. I spoke to @mkblyth.bsky.social for @drilledmedia.bsky.social about the strategy of carbon dominance, how this is shaping politics not just in the US but everywhere, and what that means for the future.
Trump Is Trying to Kill Renewables Everywhere
The US government is trying to strangle renewables to save fossil fuels. Trump wants other countries to do the same.
drilled.media
September 17, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Trump makes a Bond Villain look like a cute kitten.
In hock to the fossil fuel industry, his administration is systematically seeking to destroy the renewable energy industry in order to restore "carbon dominance". This is risking the lives of millions of people for financial and political gain.
In hock to the fossil fuel industry, his administration is systematically seeking to destroy the renewable energy industry in order to restore "carbon dominance". This is risking the lives of millions of people for financial and political gain.
Reposted by Andrew Watt
🗣️ Last week at the #ILERA 2025 European Congress (International Labour and Employment Relations Association) @durham-university.bsky.social 👇
What can the ETUI's latest research in the industrial relations field tell us about the state of #SocialEurope today?
Key points of discussion included... 🧵
What can the ETUI's latest research in the industrial relations field tell us about the state of #SocialEurope today?
Key points of discussion included... 🧵
September 16, 2025 at 12:21 PM
🗣️ Last week at the #ILERA 2025 European Congress (International Labour and Employment Relations Association) @durham-university.bsky.social 👇
What can the ETUI's latest research in the industrial relations field tell us about the state of #SocialEurope today?
Key points of discussion included... 🧵
What can the ETUI's latest research in the industrial relations field tell us about the state of #SocialEurope today?
Key points of discussion included... 🧵
🚨 Publication alert 🚨
New e-book available on European Industrial Policy via Social Europe
ebooks.socialeurope.eu/9/industrial...
New e-book available on European Industrial Policy via Social Europe
ebooks.socialeurope.eu/9/industrial...
ebooks.socialeurope.eu
September 16, 2025 at 8:08 AM
🚨 Publication alert 🚨
New e-book available on European Industrial Policy via Social Europe
ebooks.socialeurope.eu/9/industrial...
New e-book available on European Industrial Policy via Social Europe
ebooks.socialeurope.eu/9/industrial...
"While western leaders gather in diplomacy...rules based order" Seriously?
Trump has trashed the global trade regime (EU acquiesces).
Has lit a fire under global climate accords.
US & EU do nothing to stop the slaughter in Gaza.
Kallas is upset & puzzled why non-western powers are coming together 🤦
Trump has trashed the global trade regime (EU acquiesces).
Has lit a fire under global climate accords.
US & EU do nothing to stop the slaughter in Gaza.
Kallas is upset & puzzled why non-western powers are coming together 🤦
🚨Kallas on Beijing parade:
Xi, Putin and Kim are an "autocratic alliance" seeking a "new world order"
"While Western leaders gather in diplomacy, an autocratic alliance is seeking a fast track to a new world order"
Xi, Putin and Kim are an "autocratic alliance" seeking a "new world order"
"While Western leaders gather in diplomacy, an autocratic alliance is seeking a fast track to a new world order"
September 4, 2025 at 8:15 AM
"While western leaders gather in diplomacy...rules based order" Seriously?
Trump has trashed the global trade regime (EU acquiesces).
Has lit a fire under global climate accords.
US & EU do nothing to stop the slaughter in Gaza.
Kallas is upset & puzzled why non-western powers are coming together 🤦
Trump has trashed the global trade regime (EU acquiesces).
Has lit a fire under global climate accords.
US & EU do nothing to stop the slaughter in Gaza.
Kallas is upset & puzzled why non-western powers are coming together 🤦
www.etui.org/news/not-muc...
A very quick tour d'horizon of the challenges for the EU that have built up over the normally quiet summer period.
A very quick tour d'horizon of the challenges for the EU that have built up over the normally quiet summer period.
www.etui.org
September 2, 2025 at 3:12 PM
www.etui.org/news/not-muc...
A very quick tour d'horizon of the challenges for the EU that have built up over the normally quiet summer period.
A very quick tour d'horizon of the challenges for the EU that have built up over the normally quiet summer period.