Working Time Directive Now Covers Irish Defence Forces Personnel
The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Peter Burke TD, have announced the implementation of the Working Time Directive (WTD) for Irish Defence Forces personnel. This significant reform ensures statutory protections under the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, for Defence …
Rutte’s Hearing at the European Parliament: Balancing Defence and Social Systems
The hearing of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the European Parliament on Monday 13 January 2025, highlighted critical issues about Europe’s defence spending and its broader implications. Rutte’s call for increased defence investment is timely given the current geopolitical threats, but it also raises questions about balancing this with …
EUROMIL welcomes the development of a fully fledged Security and Defence Committee
The European Parliament has voted for the upgrade of the subcommittee on Security and Defence to a full standing committee, reflecting the importance in addressing Europe’s security challenges. This change, alongside the establishment of other new committees, was proposed by President Metsola and political group leaders to align with citizen …
From Boots to Books: A Soldier’s Journey to a New Career
“From Boots to Books: A Soldier’s Journey to a New Career”: This article from CS Denmark shares the inspiring story of a Danish soldier who turned a challenging situation into a new beginning. While preparing to leave the armed forces, they chose instead to upskill and prepare for a new …
Priorities of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council
On 1st January, Poland takes over the Presidency of the EU Council. The six-month Polish Presidency follows Hungary, and will be followed by Denmark from 1 July till 31 December 2025. The Polish presidency will focus on 7 main priorities: Defence and Security Protection of people and borders Resistance to …
News from Portugal
The Association of Junior Rates (AP), at the invitation of the President of the National Defence Commission, Deputy Pedro Pessanha, was present on December 3rd, at a hearing in the Assembly of the Republic, at the request of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party Questions about recruitment, retention and …
News from Greece
PFEARFU in addressing the unfair treatment of enlisted military personnel PFEARFU has succeeded in convincing the political leadership of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence to address the unfair treatment of enlisted military personnel, following years of union efforts and tough negotiations. A new draft law has been proposed to …
The professional associations process the request for an extraordinary plenary session of the Personnel Council (COPERFAS) on the working conditions of the military in the floods of Valencia
The professional associations (AUME, ASFASPRO, UMT) consider that after the urgency of vital interventions, military personnel must carry out their work with adequate rest and protection measures against the risks of the area. More than a month after the catastrophe caused by the floods (DANA meteorological phenomenon), military personnel continue …
Historic date for AUGC: On 14 November, the BOE officially published the rehabilitation of the unjustly expelled former Civil Guards
AUGC and EUROMIL celebrate the official recognition and rehabilitation of former Civil Guards unjustly expelled in the 1990s for their defence of professional rights within the Guardia Civil. 14 November 2024 was a historic day that marked a transcendental milestone for AUGC and for those civil guards who, unjustly, were …
Ireland: High Court Recognizes Defence Forces’ Right to Freedom of Assembly
On 14 May 2024, the Irish High Court, led by Justice Sanfey, delivered a landmark judgment on the right to freedom of assembly for Defence Forces members. The case arose from a dispute initiated by Martin Bright, Deputy General Secretary of PDFORRA, who sought clarity regarding his entitlement to participate …