Brussels, 28/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - A delegation of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), headed by its general secretary, John Monks, delivered its trade union memorandum (January-June 2009) to the Czech prime minister, Mirek Topolánek, on Wednesday 28 January, in Prague. The memorandum presents a list of trade union priorities concerning socio-economic measures to be taken, including a New Social Deal and a New Green Deal investing in research to ensure sustainable development.
In order to avoid reverting to nationalism and protectionism, John Monks considers it “vital to take measures that respond to the concerns of those hit hardest by the crisis or likely to be affected soon. We must waste no time”. In his view, the New Social Deal must truly encourage social inclusion and maintain purchasing power. The objective of the Deal is to act on employment, to help people in precarious employment and to spare no effort to keep the employment market from becoming more insecure. The social partners must be involved in this initiative, John Monks said. He pointed out that European elections will be held under Czech Presidency with both the legislative and executive branches of the European Union being renewed. “It is important to press for the promotion of a strong European project with a clear social orientation, otherwise there may well be a build-up of Euro-scepticism and higher voter absenteeism. The response to the crisis must also be European. The labour market is becoming Europeanised and appropriate social measures must exist or be strengthened if we hope to avoid seeing more pronounced imbalances and inequalities. The danger is both social and political”, Monks said.
In order to face the economic and social consequences (for example, massive redundancies or massive company restructuring), ETUC calls in its memorandum on the Czech Presidency to give priority to the management of the financial crisis by developing European action, cooperation and solidarity. As far as the social Europe is concerned, the trade union confederation calls in particular for a social protocol to be annexed to the Treaty as soon as possible. Such a protocol should clarify the fact that, according to the European treaties, the internal market is not an end in itself but should allow a contribution to be made to improve workers' and citizens' living and working conditions. It should reaffirm the prime importance of social progress for governing all its actions and policies. As a result, fundamental social rights should never be considered as inferior to economic freedoms. And yet this is how it is, ETUC states in its memorandum. ETUC also trusts that the famous “Monti clause” will be added to any relevant legislation to ensure that the implementation of the four fundamental market freedoms will not hamper the right to collective negotiation or the right to strike, as defined by the national legislation.
The full text of the trade union memorandum is available in French and English at: http://www.etuc.org/a/5757 . (G.B./transl.jl)