ETUC presents memorandum to Finnish EU Presidency

In June 2006, a delegation of trade union leaders presented a memorandum to the incoming Finnish Presidency of the European Union. The key demands outlined in the memorandum relate to three priority areas: social Europe, the social dimension of the internal market and trade and external relations. The trade unions are asking for a debate on such issues as ‘flexicurity’, the future of labour law and the working time directive.

Memorandum highlights priority areas

On 26 June 2006, John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) headed a delegation of trade union leaders who presented their key demands for the EU Presidency to the Finnish Prime Minister, Matti Vanhanen. The trade union delegation also included ETUC President Candido Mendez and the leaders of ETUC’s three affiliated unions in Finland: Lauri Ihalainen of Suomen Ammattiliittojen Keskusjärjestö (Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions, SAK), Risto Piekka of the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals (Akateemisten Toimihenkilöiden Keskusjärjestö, AKAVA) and Mikko Mäenpää of Toimihenkilökeskusjärjestö (Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees, STTK).

According to the Trade Union Memorandum to the Finnish Presidency, Finland’s experience is important for contributing to the definition of Europe’s model of economic and social development in an enlarged EU. The memorandum highlights three priority areas: social Europe, the social dimension of the internal market, and trade and external relations.

Social Europe

According to the unions, strong social dialogue is the cornerstone of a better Europe. ETUC lists a number of areas where it would like to see progress made. An issue of particular importance is the discussion on flexicurity and its links with productivity, work organisation and work-life balance. ETUC welcomes this debate and agrees with the establishment of general principles for flexicurity at European level. In the unions’ view, the Finnish Presidency should take a balanced approach to the flexicurity debate, paying particular attention to the role of social justice, labour market standards and the European social acquis in promoting quality jobs.

Working time and labour law

With regard to the Directive on working time (EU0506204F, EU0512205F), ETUC welcomes the intention of the Finnish Presidency to reach an agreement on this Directive by the end of its presidency. The confederation insists, however, that such an agreement should not be made at the expense of workers’ rights. According to the unions, it is necessary to protect the workers’ health and safety, and to find the right balance between flexibility and security.

The trade unions also highlighted the importance of the announced Green Paper on the Future of Labour Law (EU0602203F). In their opinion, this should address the need for action at EU level regarding the protection of all forms of non-standard employment, as well as the need to extend labour law and social security to cover precarious and new forms of work.

Equality, mobility and working conditions

ETUC also welcomed the Communication from the EU Commission on ‘a roadmap for equality between women and men’, which was launched in March 2006, as a sign of its commitment to the issue of gender equality (EU0503205F).

According to the memorandum, Europe also needs to invest more in skills and competencies, and in research, development and innovation. In this context, an agreement on a European Qualifications Framework is considered essential if the promotion of mobility in the context of a European labour market is to be pursued.

With regard to mobility and migration (EU0512204F, EU0601205F), ETUC underlines the need for a positive framework to support the development of a European labour market, based on the principle of equal treatment and the harmonisation of improved working conditions and social systems.

In relation to the new EU regulatory framework for chemicals (REACH), ETUC expects the Finnish Presidency to continue action initiated by previous presidencies, in order to secure political agreement with the European Parliament on this issue.

Internal and external market

ETUC emphasises that the social dimension of the internal market should be taken into consideration when defining all of its policies. According to the unions, this is of particular importance in relation to creating an internal market in the energy and services sectors – an issue that is likely to provoke tensions in the labour market.

The memorandum emphasises that the development of the EU internal market with a view to boosting competitiveness – for example, through the Services Directive (EU0412202N) – must be coupled with measures to protect workers and citizens.

Finally, ETUC also urges the Finnish Presidency to involve trade unions in the EU’s external relations activities and to promote social progress in its dealings with other countries.

Commentary

According to John Monks of ETUC: ‘Europe needs to concentrate on a positive agenda, to answer the most pressing concerns of citizens and workers, to restore their confidence and their support for the EU.’ Mr Monks added: ‘Finland’s experience is very important to get a positive message across Europe and to contribute to the definition of Europe’s model of economic and social development in an enlarged EU and a globalised world.’

Volker Telljohann, Institute for Labour Foundation, Bologna