The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is on high alert following the publication of the Commission’s mid term review of the Lisbon Strategy. EU targets on social policy and the environment seem to take a “back seat” in the new plan to make Europe more business friendly.

This is a disappointing start for the new Commission because it risks presenting Europe as an agent for lower social standards, worse welfare states and poorer environmental standards. The high road to growth - Europe’s only practical road - should be rooted in combining economic progress with higher environmental and social standards.

John Monks, General Secretary ETUC, said :

“It will be necessary for the ETUC to learn the precise intentions of the Commission. These may become clearer when the Commission’s social policy proposals are published next week. But we will be asking the President of the Commission, the President of the Council and other senior colleagues in the Parliament and the Commission the following questions:

What scope is there for any new regulatory measures on the labour market?

What are the precise plans of the new Commission on the Services Directive?

Does “modernising” social protection mean shifting the burden of social protection to individuals ?

Will a ‘market driven development of industrial sectors’ really allow Europe to renew its industrial capacity in the face of other global competitors who are developing a strong industrial base ?

The ETUC wants higher growth, more jobs and better jobs. But if the Commission and the Council want to relaunch the Lisbon process with trade union cooperation, then clear and convincing answers to the above mentioned questions need to be provided. Otherwise Europe’s trade unions will regard today’s move as a defeat for Europe.