Social stakeholders disappointed by Europe 2020

Following the presentation of EU 2020 by the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso, reactions from the Parliament were quite fierce. By the same token, social stakeholders such as the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), the think tank « Pour la Solidarité », or the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) Group in the European Parliament have shared their disappointment regarding the Strategy. In the contrary, the Employers’ association, Business Europe, has welcomed the initiative of the Commission.

ETUC : the right issues are not tackled

The Director General of BusinessEurope, Mr. Philippe de Buck said : “This document is the beginning of a process to commit all EU institutions to remove obstacles to growth. A process in which business will play an active role. I can say already that in the extraordinary circumstances Europe faces today, a growth strategy is the answer if we want to achieve a sound European Union, with strong companies and jobs for many people”. However, they stressed that the « sense of urgency and focus shall be reinforced ».

After S&D Parliamentary Group has underlined that EU 2020 was « not green enough, not social enough », ETUC has defined EU 2020 as « flawed ». According to Mr. John Monks, ETUC Secretary General, « the 2020 exercise so far is flawed and disappointing. There is a desperate need for the EU and the rest of the world to digest what caused the crisis and how we can avoid a repeat ». ETUC points out that some important topics has not been raised by the new economic strategy of Mr. Barroso. What caused the crisis has not been tackled, according to Mr. Monks. «speculation and short-termism » are issues that have not been raised properly, as well as new tax bases, such as the tax on financial transaction.

EU 2020 is « contradictory »

During the public consultation on EU 2020, the think tank « Pour la Solidarité » (PLS) had already underlined that « the only innovating, positive ,but opportunist, side [of the strategy] lies within the environmental question ». PLS expressed its desire the see a strategy that rests, equally on three pillars : an economic, social and green pillar. EU 2020 has given a predominance to the economic pillar, pointed out Mrs. Lydie Gaudier, PLS Project Director.

Moreover, PLS made it clear that being employed is not the best guarantee of a decent life. As Mrs. Gaudier indicated, poverty « can occur very quickly » and that the risk of poverty « concerns everyone ». By the same token, the strong focus of the Commission on employment may lead to a race towards « a job at all costs ».

Mrs. Gaudier has also pointed out that the strategy as planned by the Commission is contradictory. « On the one hand, the Commission invites Member States to respect the Stability and Growth Pact and to fiscal consolidation, and on the other hand, Member States shall launch new policies in the field of infrastructure, environment or poverty. » PLS advocates, on the contrary, the use of counter-cyclic policies. In other words, public authorities shall invest in time of recession, and take advantage of the positive growth to create rainy funds in prevision of a crisis.

Julien Demoustier