The ETUC expresses profound concern over the ongoing escalation of conflict in the Middle East and Iran. We join the global trade union movement in calling for a de-escalation by all parties, an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and a return to diplomacy and dialogue and to full respect for international law, to prevent further loss of life and suffering among civilians and workers across the region. 

No UN Security Council resolution sanctioned the attack on Iran initiated by the US and Israel. This violates international law. All Security Council members have a heightened responsibility because they were entrusted with maintaining international peace and security; they hold extraordinary power and their actions set global precedent. Violations by major powers undermine the legitimacy of the entire international legal order. International law must prevail over military strength, and dialogue over an uncontrolled race to armament, especially when it comes to nuclear weapons.

The unilateral military action carried out by USA and Israel and the subsequent retaliation by Iran against independent states constitute serious attacks against the rules-based international order. 

We join Education International (EI) in its specific condemning of the bombings that struck two schools on 28 February. Children, teachers and schools must never be military targets. The killing and wounding of students and educators is an intolerable violation of human rights and a grave breach of international humanitarian law. 

The ETUC also expresses its solidarity with the Arab Trade Union Confederation (ATUC) of the ITUC and its members in front of the retaliation strikes of Iran which only further endangers civilian lives and deepens instability.

The ETUC expresses serious concern about the unfolding situation in Lebanon and condemns the aggression by all parties, which is having direct consequences for workers in an already severely deteriorated context.

In line with its resolution “ETUC shows solidarity with Iranian democracy and workers’ movement”, the European Trade Union Confederation reaffirms its condemnation of the Iranian regime’s actions against its own people and its active repression of workers and trade unionists. We reaffirm our solidarity with workers, trade unionists and democratic movements in Iran who are struggling for human rights, democracy, dignity and social justice in the face of repression, economic hardship and violence. Trade unions stand firmly for the protection of democratic rights, freedoms and the rule of law everywhere in the world. We demand the regime to immediately end the brutal oppression and crimes against women and girls. We demand the lifting of the ban on free and independent trade unions, and the release of trade unionists and human rights defenders. We call for a stop to violences, persecution and executions, for the full respect of human rights. In line with previous ETUC resolutions, the ETUC calls for ceasing violence in the West Bank and condemns the acceleration of the illegal annexation of Zone C. 

ETUC warns that this regional conflict has severe consequences for the region’s economies, with rising unemployment and poverty and puts workers’ rights at risk, including migrant workers.

Trade unions reiterate that lasting peace, respect for international law, multilateralism and diplomacy, and social justice are essential foundations for stability and prosperity at home and abroad. The European Union and its Member States must therefore reaffirm their support and defend the international legal order and international law, and must engage in diplomacy to achieve a swift ceasefire, to work toward a lasting peace and to ensure the full respect of human rights, including freedom of association, in the region. The EU must also ensure full support to and solidarity with Cyprus.
Trade unions must be involved in processes to end conflict and build a peace grounded in social justice.

The ongoing conflict also has direct consequences for working people and industries in Europe. Rising geopolitical tensions are already feeding into higher energy prices, which will be borne disproportionately by workers at a time when many are grappling with an ongoing cost-of-living crisis. This amplifies economic insecurity, erodes real wages and pensions and risks deepening social inequalities across the EU.

We call on the European Union and national governments to take urgent measures to protect households, workers and pensioners from volatile energy markets, including policies to prevent profiteering, strengthen consumer protections, and ensure affordable access to energy for all. Social solidarity, strong public intervention and fair distribution of costs must underpin the response. The developments underline the urgent need to reduce strategic dependencies and strengthen Europe’s open strategic autonomy. Actions to ensure quality jobs, backed by an ambitious industrial policy, substantial investments, and robust social conditionalities, are essential to secure Europe’s economic future. Crisis management tools to protect jobs and production in sectors under threat should be urgently introduced, building on the model of the SURE instrument. 

The ETUC remains committed to standing in solidarity with our trade union throughout the Middle East and worldwide in their struggles for peace, dignity and social justice.