ETUC backs social responsability in EU trade rules
At a conference today on ’Competitiveness in a global economy – A challenge to trade discipline?’ organised jointly by European industry and trade unions, John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, stressed that the European Union must maintain Trade Defence Instruments (TDIs) that safeguard not only growth and employment in Europe, but also social progress worldwide.
He drew attention to trade union concerns about the European Commission’s proposals for reform of the TDIs, outlined last year in a Green Paper. And he warned of the danger of environmental and social dumping if standards are lowered, in the absence of a global competition law.
Workers and trade unions must be more involved in anti-dumping and anti-subsidy procedures. “European workers must have the right to participate fully in all stages of investigations,” concluded John Monks. “At a time when we are seeking support from citizens for a new European Treaty, it is crucial that the EU continues to play its role as a force for social progress.”
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