Brussels, 27/09/2007
Addressing a meeting of MEPs and trade unionists in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, he reiterated the conditions for workers' support for the treaty.
“At present, Social Europe is in the deep freeze, with no new legislative measures since 2001,” pointed out John Monks. “Winning support for the Reform Treaty is difficult against this background. We are currently engaged in a salvage operation, and I am finding it increasingly hard to persuade our members that they have something to gain from what is on the table".
“We want to see proper recognition of the key role of the social partners and social dialogue. Social dialogue goes beyond social issues alone, and has for many years been a cornerstone of the European Social Model. Indeed we fail to understand why there should be opposition to this principle,” declared John Monks.
“Thirdly, making the Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly binding in all EU Member States is absolutely crucial,” he concluded.
John Monks paid tribute to the work of the three European Parliament representatives in the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) and urged them to continue their efforts to achieve a balanced and positive treaty text.