Brussels, 05/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - On the initiative of European Industry Commissioner Gunter Verheugen and EU Social Affairs and Employment Commissioner Vladimir Spidla, the European Commission launched a new partnership in Brussels on 5 November with major car industry organisations and car industry workers' associations to improve future planning and the management of change in the industry.
At a press conference, Vladimir Spidla said that through the partnership, the EU, governments, companies, trade union organisations and regions pledged to adopt a series of measures, including 1) creating a new monitoring centre of change in the car industry, including changes in employment and skills requirements; 2) detecting and exchanging best practice in socially responsible restructuring; and 3) better use of EU funding, including the European Social Fund and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, to anticipate future change and adjust to it. The partnership follows in the wake of the Restructuring Forum in Brussels on 17 and 18 October. Spidla said the car industry employed more than 2 million people in Europe and was responsible for 10 million indirect jobs; was the biggest private European investor in R&D, spending more than €20 billion a year to innovation (in other words 20% of total EU investment in R&D). Spidla also announced the publication of a communication on restructuring.
The partnership will focus on Better Regulation and competitiveness, explained Ivan Hodac, Secretary General of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), mentioning the important work carried out by the CARS 21 initiative, which was described as an excellent initiative by the leader of CLEPA (the European Association of Automotive Suppliers), Lars Holmqvist. He said it was necessary for Europe to maintain its completive force and competitiveness, adding that the environment had to be protected and safe cars had to be manufactured while guaranteeing employment. Speaking on behalf of the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF), Tony Murphy said Europe had to give itself the best means to foresee competition and improve working conditions and workers' future prospects. He said social dialogue was vital to anticipate events in terms of employment and also drew European institutions' attention to the need to stabilise the social and economic environment of European companies. (G.B.)