Meeting on 18 May 2026, representatives of industrial workers and trade union organisations from the region warned that new European industrial policies could deepen existing economic disparities if measures are not introduced to guarantee fair participation for all countries and workers.
The declaration comes as the European Union advances major initiatives including the Clean Industrial Deal, decarbonisation policies, digital transformation and efforts to strengthen Europe’s industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy.
While recognising the importance of these developments, industriall Europe warns that workers in Southeast Europe must not be left behind. The region continues to face significant challenges, including low wages, labour migration, industrial insecurity, demographic decline and limited participation in high-value industrial supply chains.
The signatories highlighted Southeast Europe’s strategic importance for Europe’s industrial resilience, energy security and manufacturing capacity. They called for full integration of the region, including candidate countries, into the EU’s emerging industrial policy framework and future Industrial Accelerator Act.
Key demands include:
- Equal access to European industrial and investment funds
- Stronger support for industrial modernisation
- Participation in strategic industrial projects
- Greater inclusion of regional enterprises in European supply chains.
Trade unions also called for accelerated policy alignment between candidate countries and EU industrial and energy strategies.
A central message of the declaration is that public funding must be linked to strong social conditions. Companies receiving European or national industrial support should guarantee trade union rights, collective bargaining, fair wages and worker involvement in restructuring and technological transformation processes.
The declaration also calls for measures to protect strategic industries, including automotive manufacturing, metallurgy, chemicals, mining, mechanical engineering and other energy-intensive sectors. Affordable energy prices, investments in infrastructure and stronger protections against energy poverty are identified as essential for maintaining industrial competitiveness and quality employment.
Addressing the impact of automation and artificial intelligence, trade unions stressed the importance of lifelong learning, reskilling and investment in technical education. They also called for protections for workers affected by technological change through collective bargaining and social dialogue.
Concluding the declaration, the signatories reaffirmed that Southeast Europe possesses significant industrial potential, a strategic geographical position and a skilled workforce. They urged European institutions, governments and industry stakeholders to ensure that Europe’s industrial transformation benefits all regions equally.
“The future of European industry cannot be built on a division between the centre and the periphery, industriall Europe calls for coordinated policies, long-term investment and active trade union participation to deliver a truly just industrial transition” said Judith Kirton-Darling industriAll Europe’s General Secretary