Brussels, 19/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - Following the Commission's unveiling of the Green Paper on the restructuring of companies and anticipation of change (see EUROPE 10533) on Tuesday 17 January, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has delivered its reaction, berating the Commission for its failure to be more proactive, for yet again asking questions rather than proposing concrete measures.
“Workers will not be taken in by this charade. We demand concrete anticipation measures today not in another 10 years”, said ETUC Confederal Secretary Judith Kirton-Darling in a press release on Wednesday 18 January. The unions believe the time has come to adopt definite, legally binding measures across Europe, particularly in the current financial context, rather than propose public consultation - the third such exercise after those of 2002 and 2005. “The rules of financial capitalism are global, yet the applicable standards on workers' participation in corporate strategy and restructuring are still largely shaped at national level with a few European tools (information and consultation, European Works Councils etc.)”, said Kirton-Darling. However, on the role of the social partners in restructuring and anticipation of change, the ETUC, though it does not admit it directly, is calling for what the Commission is suggesting in the new Green Paper. When Kirton-Darling states that it is “only through consistent and stronger worker participation that change can be managed in a socially acceptable manner, trust is nurtured and anticipation policies can develop”, it amounts to the Commission's desire to support what it describes as good practice, such as enhancing social dialogue, particularly at times of restructuring. The Commission may, then, be on the right track, but it is dragging its feet, the trade unions argue. (JK/transl.rt)