In the framework of the European Commission funded project “European Social Dialogue targeted initiative: strengthening social dialogue in the professional basketball sector”, the meeting brought together eight female basketball players, active or retired. Players from EU Athletes’ members SNB (France), AJUB (Spain) and GIBA (Italy) as well as from Belgium and Turkey participated in the meeting.
One of the main goals of the project is to support organizing in European basketball, helping establish new player unions as well as assisting the existing ones in developing and building their capacities. Specific focus on women’s basketball and gender activity was added in order to take into account specific issues faced by women athletes at work, as demonstrated by EU Athlete’s SWAFE project. The meeting was an opportunity for the participants to bring forward their concerns covering topics such as worker’s status and social security, late or non-payment of wages, maternity, dual career and need for the development of women’s game.
“Talking with players from all around Europe, we are aware that their working conditions can vary greatly from one country to another. That’s why the European social dialogue is a perfect tool to work together with the employers to make sure that common minimum requirements are defined and respected. This project gives us an opportunity to further develop the representation in the sector and undertake further initiatives for the benefit of players and the sport of basketball“ said Paulina Tomczyk, EU Athletes General Secretary, who participated in the meeting.
The project is coordinated by UNI Europa/World Players Association, with EU Athletes involved as associated partner, and will run for 18 months, until June 2019. Activities of the project are being developed in the cooperation with UBE and will include further meetings with players from Germany, Turkey and other European countries.