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With the ETUC Declaration on the proposed roadmap for a social dimension of the EMU (Economic and Monetary Union), European trade unions set out markers for the EU institutions:



“Our commitment to the process of European integration depends on the fact that Europe is not a free trade zone, but an area whose objectives are economic and social progress. Therefore a discussion on the social dimension of the EMU is only acceptable if it triggers social progress in the whole of the European Union.”



Oliver Roethig, UNI Europa Regional Secretary, said on the debate: “This declaration takes up the challenge put to us by the EU institutions. It is about regaining possession of what Europe is about: a Europe of the people and workers, not of governments and business.”



“Trade unions won’t accept social dumping as the ‘only’ solution for overcoming the crisis.



“We need economic governance in Europe that not only safeguards but improves the living and working conditions for everyone, especially low-paid workers, whether in Luxembourg or Bulgaria, Germany or Greece.



“Trade unions work for an economic governance regime that creates sustainable upward-pressure on wages without interfering in national wage-setting and collective bargaining system.



“We will measures the seriousness of governments and the Commission to engage with us for a social Europe. The declaration provides the basis.”



In short, the ETUC's key elements for the roadmap are:

• Opposition towards the current austerity policies. There cannot be a social dimension whether in the EU or in the EMU without a change in these policies.

• Increased policy coordination among member states requires upward convergence to deal with inequalities, poverty, unemployment and precarious work that are ethically unacceptable and are creating a social emergency.

• There can be no sustainable economic governance and coordination of policies if these injustices are not addressed.

• A new large scale investment plans equal to at least 1 % of EU GDP annually to promote sustainable growth and jobs.

• The social partners must be fully involved on an equal footing with the EU institutions in the process of shaping any new instruments coordinating national policies.

• There should be effective guarantees at all stages that trade union rights and fundamental rights will be respected and promoted, particularly the autonomy of collective bargaining.

• The memorandum policy for the crisis countries infringe on collective bargaining, industrial relations and social dialogue.

• The idea of the conditionality of financial support as exemplified by the memorandums is opposed by the ETUC; it is unfair and undemocratic.

For full text of declaration: http://www.etuc.org/a/10932