Brussels, 17/03/2009
Says Mr Monks: ‘{This is a very important moment for workers and for the future of Europe. Will Council and Parliament be able to find agreement on a subject that is fundamental for the European social model? We will be closely watching what will be going on behind the closed doors of what is normally a very intransparent part of the legislative process in Europe. But it must be very clear to all those that are involved in this process: the workers and citizens of Europe will hold them to account in just a few months time. We demonstrated in December for ‘priority to workers’ rights, not longer working hours’. We now call on the negotiators on both sides to not only bother about national particularities and interests, but demonstrate that the EU can make progress in the social field, especially in this period of economic crisis.
We do not consider it “progress” if, at the heart, European social regulation will continue to be a clause stating that minimum standards on health and safety do not apply when a worker has signed a sheet of paper “opting out” from any protection. Council and Parliament must find a way to ensure that some kind of therapy against this “contagious virus” is developed. When they cannot do this, I doubt that it will be possible to find agreement on the other outstanding issues}.’