Brussels, 23/05/2011
The Athens Congress was unanimous in its condemnation of the type of economic governance that the European Union wants to impose. Governance is the main question currently being discussed in the European institutional trilogue: the Commission, the Council and the Parliament. The measures that will be taken will affect millions of workers and citizens. Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary declared: “{The European trade union movement intends to exert pressure and to organise an action and information day at the European and national levels on June 21st. Our demands are clear:
- The advances achieved during the voting of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee must be preserved: the independence of the social partners must be secured, particularly as regards wages and their negotiating framework;
- Public spending for sustainable investments must be independent from a budget straightjacket;
- European economic governance must include harmonisation of the tax base with a minimum tax rate for companies;
- Eurobonds must be issued to finance investments in European development and infrastructure networks and projects;
- The Council and the Parliament play an important role in the European democratic process. This role must be preserved.}”
For the ETUC, European governance means working for a more social and inclusive Europe for all citizens, particularly the young. The responsible economic governance recommended by ETUC must be geared to access to stable and quality jobs, the generalised promotion of training for all, decent wages, and strong social protection. Purchasing power, the level of pensions and access to quality social services must be defended and secured.
- Euro-demonstration on 21st June in Luxembourg City - Action and Information Day in Europe
- Video from Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the ETUC
- Press Conference
