Local governments and trade unions warn against post-COVID austerity

As Europe enters its worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, local governments and trade unions warn governments not to make the same mistakes as during the last financial crisis. CEMR, representing local governments as employers, and the European Public Services Union (EPSU) oppose cuts to public services and call for the preservation of good working conditions and social dialogue.

CEMR and EPSU expressed their common position in a joint statement. The two bodies note that austerity measures and structural reforms decided during the 2010 financial crisis harmed public services and had a particularly negative impact on women. CEMR and EPSU “strongly warn against repeating such austerity measures in order to recover from the economic crisis after COVID-19 and to avoid a social crisis.”

CEMR and EPSU call on national governments to engage social partners during the reopening process and to provide financial support to local governments. The statement urges the European Union and national governments to respect the International Labour Organization’s conventions protecting good workplace conditions.

Read the join statement here.