La Hulpe supports social progress not deregulation

The future of the European Union should be built on social progress - including quality jobs and fair pay and conditions - and not lower standards, it has been agreed today at the La Hulpe summit organised by the Belgian presidency.

The declaration on the Future of the European Pillar of Social Rights - signed by the ETUC, the EU institutions, the European Economic and Social Committee, business groups SME United and SGIEurope, and Social Platform - states:

"We are steadfast in our resolve in the pursuit of a social Europe, with the aim of creating social and economic progress, ensuring equal opportunities for all, quality jobs and fair working conditions, reducing poverty and inequalities and fostering a just and fair transition to climate-neutrality."

This commitment comes amid a debate on the future of the single market and how to make Europe more competitive being led respectively by former Italian Prime Ministers Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi.

It was reported today that Mr Letta will use his strategic report to support the ETUC's call for the EU to invest in an active industrial policy modelled on the United States' Inflation Reduction Act.

In La Hulpe, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said:

"The recognition of the key role of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the commitment taken today at La Hulpe to further advance in its full implementation must be recognised and included also in the EU Strategic Agenda and put at the core of the EU work for the next years."

"We cannot fall into the trap of a backwards looking approach that focuses on deregulation. Considering competitiveness as uniquely based on costs of companies is a failed approach that ignores the essential role played by quality public services, housing, childcare, transport in creating a high added value, genuinely competitive economy."

"We need a project of hope."

Check out @EstherLynchs' speech at the #LaHulpe Summit today:https://t.co/bQffHba4e1pic.twitter.com/F279EUwxDH

- EUROPEAN TRADE UNIONS (@etuc_ces) April 16, 2024

The La Hulpe declaration signed today also includes the following important measures:

- Restoration of the labour share of income by reinforcing collective bargaining, including through a re-evaluation of the directives on public procurement to ensure they promote collective bargaining.

- Actions to make working conditions fit for the digital age by ensuring the respect of the right to disconnect and a 'human in control' principle for artificial intelligence.

- A "vision zero" approach aiming to prevent work-related deaths, including the prevention of hazards to workers from extreme weather caused by climate change and the need to speed up the setting of minimum standards for hazardous substances.

The elephant in the room was new economic governance rules which would reintroduce austerity and make it far more difficult to implement the social measures agreed today.

That is why the ETUC is calling on members of the European Parliament to vote against the reform next week.

Speaking at La Hulpe, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch added:

"Let's take pride in our social model. It is within the EU that we find some of the most cohesive, happy and productive societies. Those countries that perform the best on human development do so thanks to the strength of their social dialogue and collective bargaining systems. These are pillars of our democracy."

"We must do better for Europe: we cannot go back, we must go forward. We must continue to deliver social progress building upon the important iniatives brought forward in this term by Commissioner Nicolas Schmit.

"We need a project of hope that delivers security and safety to workers, improved pay and working conditions, improved living conditions. And the La Hulpe Declaration highlights several areas where legislative action in the next term will be necessary to ensure social progress. Now let's get to work - together - to make it a reality."

Notes

Full speech to the La Hulpe summit by ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch

16.04.2024