Brussels, 13/03/2008
The social dimension has been becalmed in the past decade. The broad picture is of limited activity, with the growing impression that social Europe has somehow come to a standstill.
John Monks, ETUC General Secretary declared: “In our view, social Europe is in retreat and it will be no surprise when the voices calling for protectionism become more strident. Support for the single market is dependent on support for Social Europe. That is the deal – and it is not working for us at the moment.”
Some other important issues have been addressed:
- Two legal cases that have been before the European Court of Justice, where the single market prevailed over the fundamental rights to bargain and to strike. These cases – Laval and Viking – particularly affect Sweden and Denmark and the unions will have to deal with them in those countries. The result will be more rigid legal regulations, which will not contribute to flexicurity. Their impact is wider, however. As Europe becomes more integrated, with more and more cross-border migration of people and businesses, the ETUC believes that a union cannot now lawfully strike to obtain equal pay for work of equal value for migrant workers employed by a migrant business in the host country – unless perhaps there is a law specifying that agreements are generally applicable.
- The Lisbon Strategy guidelines should have greater social content, which the ETUC understands was proposed by the Commission. This was rejected by certain Member States, to European trade unions' regret. Job quality and the fight against precarious employment should be at the heart of the new European Employment Strategy.
- Social Europe and the social partners have to contribute to the battle against carbon emissions and plan for its employment and social consequences. It will not be easy to meet the targets and to minimise the consequences, so a determined effort will be needed.
Social Europe is a necessity, not an option. Fundamental rights are not second class rights, subservient to the market. These points must be in the minds of Europe’s leaders when they meet later this week and at all times in the future. The EU needs progress on temporary agency workers, working time and European Works Councils. The EU must have proper regard for our fundamental rights.