Brussels, 28/05/2009
Said John Monks, General Secretary ETUC: 'Social dialogue is an essential building block of the European model, and the fundamental rights of freedom of association, collective bargaining and collective action are indispensable for its proper functioning. Especially in this period of economic crisis, which has been caused by unfettered capitalism, it is absolutely vital that workers and their organisations can play the necessary counterbalancing role. The internal market and its free movement principles must not be used for social dumping, but lead to social progress for all, as was always intended by the European Treaties.'