PES Manifesto

Blogging the Fringe at the PES Council: Social Policy and Workers Rights

Published Monday, December 1, 2008 at 18:51
by desmondotoole (1596 views and 0 comments)

An in-depth discussion of EU employment legislation and the intricacies of European social policy is quite a challenge immediately after a large lunch! These are the sort of topics that might send a weaker socialist back to his hotel room for a quick lie-down. However, the seminar led by the Spanish MEP, Manuel Medina Ortega, brought together the right experts on social policy and workers’ rights to do justice to these immensely important issues.

The key theme of the seminar was outlined by the first speaker, and that is, that socialist and social democratic women and men share the same challenge across the whole of Europe: “… to earn the trust of the citizens”. Recent decisions on workers’ rights by the European Court of Justice and the history of initiatives coming from neo-liberal commissioners which seek to roll-back the social rights of Europe’s citizens have all contributed to a crisis of trust in European institutions. So, how can we, as socialists and social democratic activists and public representatives, take back the European public space? How can we put the social needs and aspirations of our people at the heart of the European Union?

Martin Schulz MEP and leader of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament gave his answer to this challenge. He said, “We must ensure that the social rights of citizens are defended at the European level and we must carefully assess the impact that proposals from the European Commission have on the social rights of citizens in the member states.” Martin promised that, “The Socialist Group will seek new laws in the next Parliament to protect and extend the social and labour rights of European citizens.”

The PSOE former minister for Labour, Jesús Caldera Sánchez Capitán, threw down the gauntlet to the conservatives and neo-liberals. They had lost the arguments not only on the economy but on global security, climate change and the equality agenda as well. He said that this is the time for us to show how a strong social policy can drive up employment and improve the competitiveness of the European economy. In particular, we have evidence from Spain of how an active policy to promote gender equality not only serves to promote human dignity and social justice but also leads to a stronger economy where knowledge, not muscle, is increasingly important.

It was agreed by all that Europe’s socialists and social democrats need to fight the ideological battle much more firmly. The European Social Model makes for happier, more integrated citizens. We can achieve social and gender equality and ensure that no citizen is left outside the door. We can be the standard for others to follow. We need to say this loudly and clearly … and with passion!

Tags: council, equality, EU, PES