Addressing the Congress of Czech metalworkers’ union OS KOVO, industriAll Europe’s General Secretary Judith Kirton-Darling called for urgent action to protect industrial jobs and strengthen Europe’s manufacturing base in the face of growing economic and geopolitical challenges.

Workers across Europe are facing increasing uncertainty as job losses hit the steel sector, the automotive industry undergoes profound transformation, and high energy prices continue to undermine industrial competitiveness. Recent European Commission assessments indicate that more than half a million manufacturing jobs could be at risk in the coming months as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, particularly in energy-intensive industries.
“Deindustrialisation is not inevitable. It is the result of political and economic choices—and it can be stopped,” said Judith Kirton-Darling.

Drawing on the experience of workers in Ostrava and across the Czech Republic, she highlighted the human impact of industrial decline and criticised the consequences of irresponsible corporate behaviour and political inaction.

At a time when industrial supply chains and corporate decision-making operate across borders, international trade union solidarity is even more important than ever. Mobilisations of industrial workers across Europe like on February 5, including actions organised in the Czech Republic, are proof that collective action can influence European policymaking.

IndustriAll Europe has consistently called for a comprehensive European industrial strategy based on investment, quality jobs, workers’ rights and social justice. Public support for industry must be linked to binding social conditionalities to ensure that jobs are maintained and created, while supporting Europe’s strategic autonomy and clean energy transition.

Trade union pressure has already helped place industrial policy back at the centre of the European agenda. Recent developments, including stronger support for “Made in Europe” approaches, social conditionalities and measures to protect strategic industries, demonstrate the impact of coordinated action by workers and their unions.

In the steel sector, joint trade union campaigning contributed to the introduction of European safeguards aimed at protecting jobs and industrial capacity. IndustriAll Europe is continuing to call for measures that also protect downstream industries and secure quality employment throughout industrial value chains.

We need a fair industrial transition that benefits all regions. Workers in Central and Eastern Europe continue to face significant challenges, including wage disparities, labour migration and industrial uncertainty. Europe’s industrial transformation must promote convergence, social cohesion and shared prosperity across the continent.

Paying tribute to the work of OS KOVO, Judith Kirton-Darling highlighted the crucial role of strong workplace unions in defending workers’ interests through collective bargaining and social dialogue.

“Strong unions are the foundation of decent wages, quality jobs and democracy at work. By organising workers and building collective power, unions are shaping the future of European industry,” she said.

Trade unions must continue to mobilise for an industrial future that delivers for workers and communities.

“When we act together across borders, we are not only defending today—we are building tomorrow.” Concluded Judith Kirton-Darling