Trade unionists from across Europe meeting in Serbia have called on EU leaders to learn from the mistakes of past enlargement processes and ensure that the future expansion of the bloc is carried out in a way which raises pay and strengthens workers’ rights.
At the mid-term conference of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) in Belgrade, representatives of 45 million workers including from EU and accession countries agreed a resolution which reaffirms its commitment to the continued enlargement of the EU and the goal of a united Europe.
However, trade unionists warned that workers’ rights and living standards can no longer be an “afterthought” to enlargement and that countries should only be admitted to the EU once they have fully met its social standards and ensured respect for trade union rights.
The call comes at a time when wage gaps between old and new member states remain as high as four to one, and disillusionment with the failure to improve living standards is giving oxygen to anti-democratic forces across the continent.
ETUC Mid-Term Conference’s demands for a successful EU enlargement:
- That delivers positive improvements for working people;
- No Single Market access without full alignment to the EU social acquis and effective social dialogue;
- A commitment to real social dialogue between trade unions and employers to negotiate work-related issues, labour market policies and industrial relations;
- Build comprehensive public services and social protection systems in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights;
- Further enlargement must be accompanied by reforms of the EU, to balance economic integration with a stronger social dimension;
- Better prepare candidate countries to cope with the EU Green deal agenda, with just transition planning and funding;
- Foster inclusive public debates on enlargement, engaging the general public, workers and independent trade unions.
ETUC President Wolfgang Katzian said:
“Membership of the European Union must mean more than moving borders or putting up a new flag on public buildings, it must mean tangible improvements in the lives of the majority of citizens – working people.
“Too many working people in the countries which joined the EU twenty years ago have still not seen their wages, living standards or rights at work arrive anywhere close to those of people in existing member states.
“That is why we must learn from the mistakes of previous enlargements and ensure the social dimension is not an afterthought again. Candidate countries must be fully aligned with the EU’s social standards before they become members.
“Trade unions are already working hard on the ground in each member state to try and achieve this but too often face union busting tactics by employers and governments. Respecting the rights of independent trade unions is the best way to put candidate countries on the path to the social progress they need to make to become EU member states.”
