Ahead of the informal video conference of ministers for Competitiveness on 23 October, Isabelle Schömann, ETUC Confederal Secretary, calls on the ministers to take the ETUC priorities[1] on board for a sustainable and responsible Industrial Strategy for Europe that delivers quality jobs for all.
The ministers responsible for Competitiveness will reflect on the report of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) adopted on 16 October 2020 commenting on the Commission New Industrial Strategy for Europe. ETUC welcomes this European Parliament own initiative report but sees room for further improvement.
“ETUC supports the recommendations provided by the ITRE Committee[2]. In addition, the ETUC calls for a New Industrial Strategy for Europe to be revised to map the consequences of COVID19 crisis on EU industry and its workers. Together with the EU recovery plan, the new strategy should provide concrete solutions to keep viable companies afloat while channeling investments to promote future-proofed and sustainable activities and quality employment.”
“To overcome the current crisis, it is crucial that companies maintain and develop employment and skills. Solutions such as short time arrangements combined with skills upgrading should be put in place to provide workers with stable and quality jobs while preparing for the green and digital transitions ahead.”
“The new Industrial Strategy should be based on a strong and inclusive governance where trade unions are at the table. This will be crucial to ensure decent wages, quality jobs and good working conditions to industrial workers across Europe.”
“For this strategy to be successful, investments in public and industrial infrastructures will be key along with investments in education, research and innovation. Tools such as a carbon border adjustment mechanism, international public procurement, foreign subsidies instrument, review of state aid rules and investor screening mechanism will be key to ensure a level-playing field as well as Europe’s strategic autonomy.”
1 https://www.etuc.org/en/document/etuc-position-new-industrial-strategy-europe
[1] https://www.etuc.org/en/document/etuc-position-new-industrial-strategy-europe
[2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201016IPR89558/meps-blueprint-for-a-new-industrial-strategy
