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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 10506
Contents Publication in full By article 29 / 41
SECTORAL POLICY / (ae) social

European week of demonstrations and strikes

Brussels, 30/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 30 November, public sector strikes took place in the United Kingdom and Bulgaria. Other demonstrations occurred throughout Europe, following a call for action by the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) urging workers “to protest against austerity measures in more than 25 European countries”. British public sector workers have mobilised in a way not previously seen since the 1970s to protest against the austerity measures planned by David Cameron's Conservative government. On a smaller scale but for similar reasons, Sofia, the Bulgarian capital saw 10,000 people demonstrating against the project of the centre-right government of Boïko Borisov to increase the retirement age, which unions consider as being done too quickly. Bulgaria also underwent the seventh consecutive date of strikes on the railways. Elsewhere, Greek and Belgian unions are calling for general strikes in their countries on Thursday 1 December and Friday 2 December respectively. Bernadette Ségol, Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) declared: “Enough is enough! The future of Europe cannot be based on austerity, insecurity and social regression. We support our members in their actions at national level and we urge European leaders to stop bowing to the financial markets' diktats. Europe needs a radical change of course.” (J.K./transl.fl)

Contents

A LOOK BEHIND THE NEWS
SOVEREIGN DEBT CRISIS
ECONOMY-FINANCE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY
SECTORAL POLICY
FOREIGN POLICY
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
THE INSTITUTIONS