Brussels, 01/08/2003 (Agence Europe) - A In its memorandum to the Italian Presidency, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) proposes social and economic policies to strengthen the European social dimension.
In the memorandum to the Italian Presidency notes: 1) the IGC must ensure a democratic, modern and social Constitutional Treaty for Europe; 2) the EU must launch an emergency package of measures, consistent with the Lisbon goals, to address the immediate problems facing Europe and pursue the commitment to More and Better Jobs; 3) the EU must develop a common EU Migration and Asylum Policy tackling integration and the management of migratory flows; 4) the EU must finish its review of European Works Committee legislation this year; 5) the EU must include a 'fair labour standards' clause in the two revised public tender directives, particularly vis-à-vis collective agreements, equal opportunities and non-discrimination; 6) the EU must integrate employment considerations in the changes to the merger control regulations; 7) workers must be guaranteed the right to information, consultation and defensive measures at all stages of takeover bids in the firm making the bid as well as the target company; 8) the EU must adopt the directive with a limited transition period; 9) a legal basis must be established in the treaties for utilities and procedures must be launched for a framework directive on services of general interest (utilities) or a legislative moratorium imposed on liberalisation.