Malin Ackholt new president of EFFAT

“I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to lead EFFAT in the work to empower European agricultural, food, and tourist workers in their fight for better jobs, stronger unions, and a more social Europe. “

At the last meeting at European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT) executive board on 28th of November, Malin Ackholt the President of Swedish hotel and restaurant workers union (HRF) was elected as a new President of EFFAT. Malin succeeded Therese Guovelin, who left the leadership of HRF to take the position as Vice-President of Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO).

At the last congress of EFFAT in 2014 there was a clear understanding that the President of EFFAT for the Congress period 2014 to 2019 should be a woman and preferably from the Nordic tourism sector, because EFFAT never had a President coming from this sector nor the Nordic region. 

Malin Ackholt, trade union experience encompasses 22 years at local, national, European and Global level. With many years’ experience in collective bargaining, at national and sectoral level as Chief Bargaining Officer and President of the Swedish Hotel and Restaurant Union. Malin Ackholt has over 10 years’ international trade union experience and has her proven strong qualification and great commitment in her international work.

Malin Ackholt has been involved in IUFs and EFFATs work for years, where she has represented Swedish Hotel and Restaurant Union in various leading roles since 2005.

In her opening speech Malin expressed how privileged she is to be given the opportunity to lead EFFAT in the work to empower European agricultural, food, and tourist workers in their fight for better jobs, stronger unions, and a more social Europe. 

She stressed the importance that EFFAT continues to be a staunch advocate of all its sectors and speaks with a strong voice on behalf of all European food, agriculture, domestic and tourism workers, otherwise we will not have a sufficient say in EU decision-making and we will undermine workers influence in the social dialogue at European level. 

“Against the backdrop of falling membership in many organizations belonging to EFFAT in recent years, recruiting new members has become the top priority for trade unions. In this regard, particular emphasis must also be placed on recruiting young workers, female workers and workers in the ever-growing number of precarious jobs.

The reduced number of members has also put more restrains on EFFATs budget in recent years, requiring the best possible use of resources in order to carry out the agreed work program and achieving better working conditions and policies at the EU level which will benefit all our members. In order for EFFAT to achieve its strategies all member organizations must contribute their fair share through membership fees. It is important to stress that my presidency will not result in any additional costs for EFFAT. Moreover, the Nordic Union of Hotel, Restaurant, Catering and Tourism workers is willing to offer the EFFAT secretariat all our support and expertise.”