This is the second time that I participate to your congress and this is at a time when immense challenges lay ahead of us: the economic crisis, the social crisis, the fight against climate change. Faced with these challenges, we need to be heard.

Workers will not pay a second time for the mistakes of the financial sector.

And yet, what do we already see one year only after the beginning of the crisis? We see that the banks generate huge profits and that they will distribute record bonuses to their traders. In France at the same time, the credits allocated to companies and businesses are decreasing. It is obvious that the world of finance has not the slightest intention of changing their ways.

Do we need to remind financiers that they were saved by public money? Do we need to remind them that the economic crisis is still here and that employment is far from being at its best? 4.6 million jobs have been lost in Europe this year. There are over 25 million people out of work in Europe. The employment rate in 2010 will be lower than that in 2002. The attitude of the big banks is shocking and makes us angry because they are irresponsible. Four years ago, I was branded an old-fashioned because I denounced the casino capitalism. The crisis unfortunately has proved us right.

For all these reasons, the European trade unions are unhappy and will lead a campaign in 2010 based on the following main themes:
 Stop unemployment! We must fight against unemployment taking root as it weakens the people and the whole society. The fight against unemployment, and notably unemployment of the young people, must take centre stage in the economic policies;
 Stop the bonuses! We demand real financial regulations to ensure that we will not relive what we have just been through and are still suffering from. Clearly, we say: “Never again!”
 Stop the budget cuts affecting the public sector and social security.
 Increase wages and buying power.

Our key message is simple: You saved the banks. Now, invest in jobs!

We will organize a big Euro-demonstration in Brussels next March, just before the European Council and, as you have always done in the past, we count on your massive participation.

There will be no end to the crisis as long as there is no recovery in employment. We must remain vigilant because the social crisis will be serious in 2010.

The high unemployment level amongst young people is of great concern: 21% in the United States, 25% in France, 50% in Spain. Failing to invest in youth weakens society in the short and medium term. Young people need a future. The direct consequences of unemployment are insecurity and social exclusion, particularly amongst young people. Eight million people live in poverty in France. This is unacceptable. Internationally, an effect of the current strong social and economic instability is also the reinforcement of economic protectionism. At national level, this translates into nationalistic and xenophobic attitudes which certain governments may use for electoral purposes.

As far as the ETUC is concerned, the crisis will be over when full, quality employment will be achieved. This is not a utopia. Europe has made it its strategy in Lisbon. It failed. But the objective is still valid. We ask the European governments for real stimulation instruments. We also ask that economic priorities be focused on strong industrial policies.

We need a low carbon industrial policy. Developing a green economy implies a real boost to innovation, research, education and professional training. A low carbon industrial policy requires a negotiation framework that we call “fair transition”.

In other words, we want that the institutions in charge of tackling all the challenges be given the means to act. It is in that spirit that we are going to Copenhagen. Let us not be mistaken. Employment is affected by climate change. The social question is the key to move towards a new production system. The effects of climate change make inequalities between the world’s regions even worse. No one can solve the problem of climate change unless the question of social inequalities and poverty is taken into consideration. In Copenhagen, the ETUC and the other trade unions will fight for an ambitious and binding agreement.

Last, we fear reductions in public spending. The State must take its responsibilities. The crisis has caused the public debt to rise to unbearable heights. Who will pay for this now? We insist again: not the workers! We also fear that governments will put the screw on the public sector whereas the urgency is now. The crisis makes it obvious that countries with a good social system show a better solidarity and manage to better contain the social impact. Workers will not pay the crisis bill!

Dear friends, we live in a difficult situation all the more so because the political perspectives are uncertain. All European workers, whether at work or unemployed, need a strong, united and demanding trade unionism to overcome the causes for concern which often lead to withdrawal or corporatism. It is the only way to be heard in the face of the arrogance of large institutions.

We fight the same battle in all European countries. For more than two centuries, European trade unionism has shown that its power resides in its ability to act collectively. That is ETUC’s relentless objective. We want to speak with a single voice to be stronger, to protect the workers’ rights and to conquer new ones. The CGT congress will no doubt contribute to that objective. I wish you every success my friends.

Let us close the ranks for the battles ahead of us.