Brussels, 10/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - A week away from the European Summit that is expected to reach an agreement on the constitutional treatment, the European Confederation of Trade Unions (ETUC) has expressed concerns about the latest amendments proposed at the Intergovernmental Conference on the European constitution. The ETUC is still appealing for a constitutional treaty with a strong social dimension, which not appears to be in danger. The Executive Committee of the ETUC, meeting on 9-10 June in Brussels adopted a resolution in which it reiterated its demand for the rapid adoption of a strong constitution that is able to reinforce EU objectives in democracy, freedom and social justice.
ETUC Secretary General John Monks gave a warning to the press that their message to decision makers was that they should not count on the ETUC supporting this constitution. If the social dimension is reduced in it the ETUC's support would be weakened and threatened. Monks warned that this would have repercussions for the countries that were going to hold referendums. John Monks added that the ETUC supported a European constitution with a social dimensions and was encouraging governments to go in this direction. The Secretary General admitted that he was very worried about the efforts of the British prime minister Tony Blair to water down the status of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, making it more a declaration than a measure that has a concrete impact on workers' rights.
Monks indicated that the ETUC's message was as follows: if Heads of State and government affirm that it is necessary to change the course embarked upon by reducing the social dimension sought by Jacques Delors, and by reinforcing, in particular, market Europe, it would mean European governments making a business Europe a priority over a social Europe. Monks warned that the fight for fundamental rights was crucial. He concluded that they should not water down the Social Charter or weaken the constitution and that Europe needed the support of its citizens and should not reduce workers or union rights.
The Secretary General underlined that the Executive Committee of the ETUC had pointed out in his resolution the main demands involving part 3 of the new constitution: coherence between parts 1 and 2 on social objectives (full employment, "social market economy"); recognition of the specific role of social partners and social dialogue, with effective access to the European Court of Justice; no backtracking on the current treaty; reinforcement of economic governance; recognition of services of general interest. The ETUC is calling for Heads of State and government to immediately take into account these demands and meet them as fully as possible and that they carefully consider the stakes at play and the genuine frustration and increasing disappointment in the European trade union movement.
Replying to journalists, John Monks, pointed to the similarities between the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. And those of the United Nations and the Council of Europe (Charter of Fundamental Rights, democracy, right to association, gender equality etc). However, the ETUC Secretary General explained that the problems was that the right to strike worried London. British employers are worried about British legislation on strike laws (very restrictive since the Thatcher epoch compared to other countries in the Union) and the British government, which is, nonetheless, a Labour government, is therefore seeking the status of a declaration for the EU Charter, explained Monks. The latter repeated that unions wanted a social and not American dimension to the charter.
In connection to ideas held almost everywhere by the far right in Europe and the populists during this European election campaign, John Monks called on the traditional parties to fight the far rights without accepting their ideas. He said that he did not agree with what was being said by these parties in Europe.