Jönköping, 08/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 8 July, the Swedish minister for work, Sven-Otto Littorin, indicated that during their informal meeting in Jönköping, European ministers for work and social partners discussed (accompanied by civil society representatives) the, “economic crisis and its damaging effects on the labour market in Europe”.
The question of labour market exclusion was at the heart of the discussions. This exclusion is in danger of increasing under the impact of the economic crisis. The meeting, however, allowed for some agreement to be obtained about the need to pursue social dialogue in an effort to end the crisis. In this connection, Mr Littorin highlighted the importance of ministers having, “a shared image of the situation and to find solutions that are as coordinated as possible”. Among the measures for keeping the effects of exclusion in check, the Swedish presidency referred to the need to continue structural reforms, particularly those involving the “principle of flexicurity” in Europe. Reforms should be combined with preparations for a new employment strategy in Europe to take over from the Lisbon strategy. The Swedish minister was also delighted with the current negotiations between social partners in an effort to reach, “a new framework agreement for an inclusive labour market”. His Spanish colleague, Celestino Corbacho, whose country will take over the next rotating presidency of the Council, affirmed that Spain intended to take action to, “create qualitative jobs”. Vladimir Spidla, the European Commissioner in charge of employment and social affairs, underlined the “structural” nature of the crisis, which he said requires, “restructuring of education and life long learning for which massive investment will be imperative”. The president of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Wanja Lundby-Wedin, from Sweden, underlined three priorities to help workers survive the crisis. First of all, Lundby-Wedin called on social partners and governments to, “use the time available to prepare the labour force to take new jobs when they appear”. This echoes the appeals made by Mr Spidla to promote massive investment in education. In response to Mr Littorin on the issue of flexicurity, Ms Wanja Lundby-Wedin said that this concept had arrived at the end of the road and that, “there had so far been a lot about flexibility to the detriment of security”. She said that it was ultimately by providing new resources to the public sector that they would be able to contain a rise in unemployment. She concluded by expressing hope in the Swedish presidency, “working to make room for social partners”. (S.B./trans/rh)