Editorial by Conny Reuter, SOLIDAR Secretary General

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

19th September 2014

The week started on a positive note, with László Andor presenting the current state of play of the Youth Employment Initiative at the European Parliament in Strasburg. Behind the good news about the financial framework and the support of the Member States who will add to the 6.4 billion budget, is the message that investing in education and training is an investment which pays off and is more than just symbolic. (Read the roll-out here)

Since the crisis began in 2008 there has been a narrow focus on fiscal and monetary emergency measures. It has taken time for the arguments for more parameters to be heard. Finally there seems to be a recognition of the need for structural reforms in which investment is coupled with an increase in internal demand. Introducing wage policies at the EU-level is a highly controversial issue. While we may all agree on the need for this, there is still reluctance among the social partners. Yes social partners have a tradition and experience of national level social dialogue, and it is true that the EU does not have clear competences in this field. But given that Social Dialogue is part of the Treaty, shouldn’t there be a way to allow more than an open method of coordination? Starting with fiscal adjustments preventing competition between Member States and the regions? Continuing with wages policies aimed at decent work, including decent wages? Instead of the declining stand ards we see today, notably in its ugliest form, so called self-employment and autonomous workers, as well as the slavery inflicted on workers from South-East Europe and irregular migrants?

The ugly news came from the European Court of Justice which ruled that based on the actual legal framework, sub-contractors established in another EU-Member States cannot be legally bound by social standards applied in the Member State responsible for the public procurement (read the press release here). There is clearly a need to establish a European system for the recognition of national minimum wages, to ensure equal protection of employees. This specific case reflects the need for stronger regulation when it comes to the internal market, securing social standards for all employees, regardless of their location.

We sincerely hope that the promised coordinating potential of the new Commission will build on the progress made over the last three years in the field of employment and social affairs. Linking a social dialogue portfolio to a Vice-President’s post is more than symbolic and the first step should be to make sure that social dialogue is applied in all Member States at the same level, empowering social partners to act.

As a Social NGO calling for social progress and social justice we will be listening carefully to the answers of the new Commissioners at the upcoming hearings. We call for EU policies in line with the values and treaties of our Union at all levels: in policies at EU and Member State level, and by the individuals who will carry those responsibilities in the name of this Union. A better Commission is possible and a better EU too!

Social Affairs

Tragedies continue in the Mediterranean Sea: human corridors urgently needed

16th September 2014

This Sunday there were some 800 people trying to reach Europe dispersed around the Mediterranean Sea. A boat packed with up to 250 migrants trying to reach European shores sank off the Libyan coast. According to the latest information available, only 36 of them were rescued. Last week some 500 people went missing and are feared drowned after people smugglers sank the boat carrying them 300 miles off the coast of Malta. Most of the migrants were fleeing from Gaza, Egypt, Syria and Sudan (see).
Read more

German Trade Union Confederation and German Ministry of Economy draw red lines regarding TTIP

19th September 2014

In a common position paper the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) and the German Federal Ministry of Economy, led by Sigmar Gabriel (SPD), have formulated their red lines regarding the ongoing negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the US.

It is clearly stated in the paper that TTIP must not “jeopardise workers’ rights, consumer protection, social and environmental standards.” Furthermore, investment protection provisions such as the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) must not be included in such a trade agreement. They further call for more transparency in the negotiation process and the full involvement of civil society and social partners therein.

SOLIDAR welcomes this clarification of the DGB’s position. We clearly oppose any lowering of standards for labour, health, consumer or environmental protection. If the European Commission cannot guarantee the protection of the European social model, our greatest achievement, such a trade agreement must not be concluded.

Read SOLIDAR’s briefing paper No. 66 on TTIP.

Click on the briefing for the full version

Related News
The European Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, has launched a public consultation in relation to the transparency of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations. Click here for more information.

Education and Lifelong Learning

Conference – Achieving Validation of Learning Outcomes – best practices and the way forward

16th September 2014

SOLIDAR Foundation in cooperation with La Ligue de l’enseignement is organising a conference entitled ’Achieving validation of learning outcomes – best practices and the way forward’ in the framework of the Building Learning Societies: Promoting validation of non-formal and informal learning project that will take place on 14 October 2014 at the European Parliament in Brussels. The conference will be hosted by Julie Ward, MEP (UK Labour party, S&D Group).