John Monks, ETUC General Secretary said “We fully support Bulgarian and Romanian membership of the European Union. Those countries have taken many steps to comply with the acquis, and our affiliates there have been helpful to their governments in their endeavours. However, we have been surprised and very disappointed that, following strenuous negotiations to enable their social policies to comply with EU standards, both governments have apparently succumbed to pressures from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank as well as from foreign investors to seek to amend their labour codes against the interests of working people and with little if any consultation with their trade union representatives. We call on the Commission to ensure that the safeguard clause - that may be invoked to push back the 1 January 2007 accession date should a country fail to meet significant aspects of the acquis - should apply to social rights.

“In joining the EU, the two countries will also pledge themselves to observing the Charter of Fundamental Rights embedded in the proposed Constitution, and they should observe it fully now.”

Key issues include the need for proper social dialogue, respect of collective bargaining rights, and the right to strike. Also of utmost importance is anti-discrimination legislation on various grounds (including the Roma population). Violations of such rights have also been criticised by the European Committee of Social Rights in the Council of Europe.

It is the responsibility of EU institutions to assess compliance with EU norms. The ETUC and its affiliates in the countries concerned will also be keeping a close watch on any initiatives by the governments to ensure that they meet the standards and practices of the European Social Model and are not dictated by external players such as the International Financial Institutions.