The European Trade Union Confederation has today called on the European Commission to urgently bring forward the much needed Industrial Accelerator Act, warning that continued hesitation risks undermining Europe’s industrial base and the security of millions of workers.
At a time when European industry is facing unprecedented competitive pressures and disruption linked to rising costs and geopolitical uncertainty, Europe needs decisive action, not institutional finger-pointing or harmful “simplification” exercises.
The Industrial Accelerator Act must include Made in Europe with quality jobs, at its core. This would send a strong signal that the European Union is serious about defending its productive capacity, strengthening supply chains, and protecting workers from the social consequences of industrial transformation. Delays risk weakening Europe’s position in key sectors and eroding public confidence in the EU’s ability to act.
The ETUC stresses that prioritising political action on administrative streamlining will not address the structural challenges facing European industry. Global competitors are deploying large-scale public investment, coordinated industrial strategies and clear production guarantees. Europe must respond with comparable ambition.
There is a concrete initiative on the table that would strengthen Europe’s competitiveness while safeguarding quality jobs and production capacity on the continent. Yet progress has stalled. Parts of the Commission and sections of the Council have failed to demonstrate the urgency that the situation demands.
Esther Lynch, ETUC General Secretary, said:
“Europe’s workers cannot afford further drift. While others debate ‘simplification’, factories are closing, investment decisions are being made elsewhere, and communities are left in uncertainty. What Europe needs now is an Industrial Accelerator Act that secures production, supports strategic sectors and guarantees quality jobs.”
“Those blocking this vital initiative are not providing any solutions to protect workers and strengthen Europe’s industrial base. We cannot afford any hesitation in moving forward on real industrial policy. EU and national decision-makers must act with responsibility and put forward the Industrial Accelerator Act to protect and create quality jobs without further delay.”
Ludovic Voet, ETUC Confederal Secretary, said:
“In the short term, the Industrial Accelerator Act will save jobs in Europe. In the mid-term, it will reinforce our strategic sectors, and in turn the whole economy. In the long term, it will allow us to build a strong Europe built on quality jobs, in which working people have confidence.
“We call on the Commission and Member States to accelerate delivering concrete action. Europe’s industrial future, and the livelihoods of millions of workers, depend on it.”
