European Federation of Journalists

European Federation of Journalists

President Juncker joined trade union debate on future of Europe


The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomed European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker for a discussion on the future of Europe with trade union leaders from all EU countries. The discussion took place yesterday, in Brussels, during an extraordinary Executive Committee meeting of the ETUC. The European Federation of Journalists was represented by its General Secretary, Ricardo Gutiérrez.

The ETUC believes a wide debate on the future of Europe is desperately needed due to the growing lack of trust in the EU caused by high unemployment and poverty, Brexit, terrorism, the failure to deal effectively with the refugee emergency, and growing nationalism and populism across Europe.

European trade unions warn that the EU must become fairer and more social, or it risks collapse.

TOn its “Platform on the Future of Europe”, adopted on the 26-27 October, the ETUC propose a new Pact based on prosperity, social justice and democracy.

The ETUC believes the EU needs to focus on

  • Sustainable growth to create quality jobs and better working conditions (among other things, an extraordinary plan for investment and quality job creation is needed; digitalisation has to be addressed via a “just transition” strategy which ensures that quality job creation compensates job destruction; a general pay rise for European wortkers is also needed);
  • Stronger labour rights and social protection (the EU must make sure that the European Pillar of Social Rights is not an empty promise; non-standard workers ans self-employed workers deserve specific measures and frameworks to guarantee them the same rights as other workers, such as the right to bargain for their remuneration, to enjoy social, health and pension protection, to have access to continuous training, and to join a trade union);
  • More democracy for workers and citizens.

“The ETUC is engaging with the EU institutions and national Governments, and with wider society, to influence the future of Europe and to achieve a fairer and more social Europe,” said ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini.

“It was really interesting to discuss with Jean-Claude Juncker, but we are still unhappy with his lack of commitment on social protection,” said Ricardo Gutiérrez. “We are facing an EU Commission President refusing to implement at EU level sectorial frameworks agreements! We are facing an EU Commission President expressing concerns regarding the increase of jailed journalists in Turkey! The EU needs to act, not only to express concerns!”

Picture credit: Ricardo Gutiérrez / EFJ.

 

The chall