With this award, we want to show our appreciation for all the good work done by our affiliates across Europe in the fight against discrimination.

On 17 May, LGBTIQ communities and their allies are mobilising to raise awareness of violence, discrimination and repression. Trade unions have participated in Pride marches and campaigned for equal rights. The day was first celebrated in 2005. It is now celebrated in more than 130 countries around the world.

In 2021, industriAll Europe adopted a pledge to fight for LGBTIQ-friendly workplaces. We pledged to work with employers to ensure that collective agreements do not discriminate. We also committed to reviewing our own policies, documents and processes to ensure that they promote LGBTIQ equality.

Much has been achieved in our affiliates, but there is still much to be done.

We are therefore pleased to announce that, for the first time, industriAll Europe is launching a Diversity at Work Award to recognise outstanding local initiatives in the field of equal opportunities.

The winner has been selected and will be presented at the industriAll Europe Mid-Term Conference in Thessaloniki on 31 May/1 June 2023.

The award recognises initiatives taken or initiated by shop stewards or local trade union officers to combat discrimination and promote equal opportunities and inclusion in the workplace.

"With this award, we want to show our appreciation for all the good work done by our affiliates across Europe in the fight against discrimination - whether based on gender, race or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, age or social background. It is designed to demonstrate our commitment to equal opportunities and diversity activities, to complement our commitments and positions, and to inspire each other",

says Judith Kirton-Darling, Deputy General Secretary of industriAll Europe.