STANDING FIRM ON BURMA

Economic and political action by Burma's neighbours would make its vicious military regime sit up and take notice and it is time for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) states to take action. I have called for signatures to a written declaration in the European Parliament requesting ASEAN states to remove Burma from the EU-ASEAN free trade agreement negotiations, and if they will not, to halt the negotiations altogether. Glenys Kinnock, Burma Campaign Patron, has stated: "the EU's subscription to human rights will be severely questioned if there isn't a clear signal that the recent events in Burma deserve a robust European response."

CALL FOR EU LEGISLATION ON PUBLIC SERVICES

Socialist Euro MEPs recently noted their deep disappointment at Commission President Barroso's rejection of the need for special legislation on the running and financing of services of general interest - the EU term for public services. The Party of European Socialists (PES) Group president Martin Schulz said "legal uncertainties about our public services need to be cleared up. We have been calling for action for the last six years, as have EU ministers. The Socialist Group will go on campaigning with trades unions, business leaders, civil society and regional and local authorities for a European legal framework for public services.”

EU URGED TO BACK DECENT WORK CAMPAIGN AND TO ELIMINATE POVERTY

European social democrats last week called for the EU to commit itself to a decent work campaign aimed at eliminating world poverty. Socialist Group vice-president Harlem Désir said "There should be no more trade agreements that do not include commitments to social standards, including respect for the rules of the International Labour Organisation. Mechanisms for the promotion and enforcement of decent work, including core labour standards, should be included in trade agreements. Decent work for a decent life does not mean that we will have a minimum salary or standard retirement conditions tomorrow. But we must make a start to help families not just to survive, but also to live well on the fruits of their labour. All workers should benefit from minimum social protection in their countries."

EU-WIDE RECOGNITION OF QUALIFICATIONS AN IMPROVEMENT

The ‘European Qualifications Framework’ (EQF) is a practical way in which the EU can support the mobility of learners and workers between Member States. It makes the process of comparing qualifications more transparent and places emphasis on learning outcomes, i.e. what a person knows, understands and is able to do. Claude Moraes, Labour's European spokesperson on Employment and Social Issues, commented "Many people want to work abroad but find it difficult if their qualifications are not recognised in other countries. This legislation will help in breaking down these barriers to employment. Older workers will also benefit as the legislation puts an emphasis on lifelong learning."

‘FLEXICURITY’ – CUTTING THE SOCIAL COST OF GLOBALISATION

The European Parliament has adopted a report sending the EUs Member States a clear message: “Every citizen should have a range of social rights and training throughout his or her career, whatever kind of job contract they have”. The report driven through by the 219-strong Socialist Group radically transforms Commission proposals and sets out a balanced set of principles that provide flexibility for companies adapting to changing economic circumstances whilst safeguarding the careers of workers. The rights set out in the report include protection against unfair dismissal, closing the pay gap between men and women and access to training. Claiming victory, Socialist Group spokesman on social affairs, Stephen Hughes MEP, said: “We completely transformed the commission’s proposal, despite a right-wing majority in Parliament”