The concept of Social Europe has been central to the development of the European Union. Social rights, social inclusion, social dialogue, and an important role for the social partners have been recognised as key elements of Europe and are among the EU’s core values as defined in the constitutional treaty. Economic and social matters go hand in hand, and the balance between the two is part of the social contract entered into as part of the construction of the single market. This is why the ETUC supports the EU.

But now the future of Europe and the European Social Model is in question. The conflict is perceived to be between the choice of a modern Europe with a social market economy and social rights, or a loosely regulated free trade zone. In the meantime, citizens’ support for the EU is ebbing, amidst disenchantment over unemployment, delocalisation, insecurity, and a loss of public faith in the ability of government to change people’s lives for the better. If workers see Social Europe being wound down, they will regard the EU as a threat, not as a support, and their natural reaction will be opposition.

The ETUC, with its social partners, wants to play a full part in decisions on the future of Europe, and in particular the role of Social Europe. This paper is a summary of the ETUC’s contribution to the debate, in advance of the informal EU summit at the end of October. The ETUC urges European leaders, at that meeting, to set out a new vision of Social Europe, and to launch a strategy for listening to people and their concerns.

Europe and globalisation

Europe’s common values of solidarity, equality, social justice, internationalism and the belief that social and economic life should be structured to meet human need have much in common with those that define the trade union movement. Nowhere in the world are they enshrined more in governance than in Europe. Globalisation brings challenges that cannot be avoided, but the existence of the EU should make us better able to meet them, and confront other worldwide problems like climate change, environmental damage and international terrorism. This should be at the heart of Europe’s 21st century mission.

A sustainable social model

The ETUC emphasises its belief in the existence of a single European social model, rather than 25 disparate national social models in the EU. Its main characteristics are:
state responsibility for full employment, for providing services of general interest, and for economic and social cohesion;
fundamental social rights, including freedom of association, the right to strike, protection against unjustified dismissal, fair working conditions, equality and non-discrimination;
social protection, delivered through highly developed universal systems, and wealth redistribution measures such as minimum income or progressive taxation;
social dialogue, with the right to conclude collective agreements, to workers’ representation and consultation, and national and European Works Councils;
social and employment regulation, covering, for example, health and safety, limits on working time, holidays, job protection and equal opportunities.

At this pivotal moment for the EU, it as vitally important that decision-makers, social partners and civil society should agree a common platform for action to achieve:

prosperity - more and better jobs, working towards full employment, sustainable welfare states and a better quality of life for all;
equality - eliminating all forms of discrimination, whether on gender, race and ethnic origin, belief and conviction, sexual orientation, age or disability;
solidarity - building socially inclusive and cohesive societies, protecting those in need, and guaranteeing services of general interest.
In pursuit of these goals, the ETUC supports a new multi-annual sustainable growth and investment programme for more and better jobs in the framework of the Lisbon strategy, identifying full employment as a central objective.

We also propose a new Declaration on European economic renewal, with a Lisbon implementation plan including greater coordination of member states’ budget policies and a new role for the European Investment Bank to fund new investments. These economic points are developed in an accompanying ETUC paper on More and Better Jobs .

A joint responsibility

The ETUC’s role is not simply to defend the status quo. But we are conscious of the need to act with people’s consent, to identify issues for change, develop an agenda for action and then reach agreements. Central to this is the role of collective bargaining, which has been an important element in the construction of many European countries and must remain so. At EU level, employers need to be more ready to tackle subjects outside the strict confines of workplace or labour market relations.

The ETUC is proposing a new agenda for action by the EU institutions and social partners, focused on:

1. Further development of social policy and legislation
Minimum social standards are vital. The ETUC is looking for urgent progress on ending the opt-out in the Working Time Directive, agreeing standard protection for temporary agency workers, revising Directive 94/45 on European Works Councils, and radically revising the Directive on Services in the Internal Market to establish a level playing field that does not undermine workers’ rights and working conditions.

2. A strong framework to face delocalisation and restructuring
The Commission and social partners should aim to establish firm rules on information and consultation, effective European Works Councils and a right to re-insertion for workers subject to retrenchment and restructuring, with support at European level through Structural Funds.

3. Addressing demographic challenges in a forward-looking way
Most of Europe has an ageing population. This poses huge problems for the future. The EU needs to enhance the quality of working life and training so that older people can stay in employment, to support working parents, and to develop policies on immigration.

4. Active labour market policies and lifelong learning
All workers, young and old, need the opportunity to acquire new skills and adapt to the impact of globalisation and restructuring.

5. Equality for all
Discrimination, particularly on gender and racial grounds, is still widespread within the EU labour market. This is in breach of fundamental rights. Improving the situation is in the interest of individual women and men, and the economy and society as a whole.

6. A sustainable legal framework for migration and mobility
There are too many uncertainties about the standards applying to migrant workers, illustrated by the case of Latvian workers in Sweden currently before the European Court of Justice. These uncertainties are damaging enlargement - both past and prospective - and need urgent attention.

7. A stronger external dimension
The European Social Model should not just be for Europe. The EU should confidently promote its social values in all trade and development dealings and by ensuring European companies apply equal standards outside the EU.