Brussels, 17/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - Following the re-election of José Manuel Barroso as President of the European Commission, Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) John Monks has sought from him “a clear commitment and guarantees on social issues”, in particular on the revision of the Posted Workers Directive. He has also called for a social progress clause annexed to the next treaty to guarantee the fundamental rights of European citizens and equal treatment.
The ETUC press release points out that in his speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg (see EUROPE 9977), Barroso said he wanted to do more in the social sphere, expressed his commitment to fundamental rights and declared that he wanted to initiate new rules on the implementation of the Posted Workers Directive or even a revision if necessary.
In spite of certain indicators of economic recovery, the economic and social crisis is far from over, ETUC warns, adding that unemployment figures in the EU are expected to rise to 12% of the workforce by the end of 2010. Ceaseless efforts will be needed to cope with surging unemployment and its social consequences, it argues. (G.B./transl.rt)