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Euro TU Matters December 2011

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Support for action to achieve pensions justice

Members of the Socialist and Democrat Group in the European Parliament, sent support and solidarity for the trade union actions taking place across Europe on and around 30 November. More than 20 British unions, and over two million public service workers will take industrial action in defense of their pensions in the UK, and similar actions across Europe in defense of jobs, public services, social rights and a democratic and social Europe.
European-wide, both public and private sector workers are being punished for a crisis they did not cause. Austerity policies are cutting jobs on a massive scale and forcing public sector workers to pay more in pension contributions, work longer before they can claim their pension and still get less money when they finally retire. The S&D Group condemns attempts to create antagonism between workers in the public and private sectors across Europe and emphasises that they are all victims of a failure of European Union (EU) Governments and the EU Commission to get a grip on the economic and financial crisis, and develop economic policies for growth and jobs rather than for a downwards spiral into an economic abyss. The S&D believes that jobs and a decent pension are fundamental rights for all EU citizens and go to the very core of what the EU is for.

OECD predict gloomy future for Euro-zone and UK economies

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Economic outlook ‘The Policy Imperative: Rebuild Confidence’, published this week, gives a stark picture of collapsing growth and movement into recession in the Euro-zone and UK economies. This, it says, is caused by a ‘muddling through’ attitude by Governments. It argues that an even worse outcome is possible in its ‘downside scenario’ where further loss of confidence would risk tipping the OECD as a whole into recession. Stimulus to the economy is needed. Without waiting for further deterioration, the countries of the OECD has identified as having ‘fiscal space’ should give stimulus to aggregate demand to kick start the global economy. Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) said: ‘Jobs must now be at the centre of recovery measures’. Bernadette Segol, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) said: ‘...EU countries must now agree that debt needs to be mutualised in Europe and the European Central bank must expand its role to under-write the Euro’.

Agency Workers' Directive implementation - vigilance needed

The GMB along with the other unions in the UK welcomed the long awaited rights for temporary and agency workers which came on stream on 1st October 2011.  This Directive should give agency workers day-one rights and protections in some areas and equal treatment on pay after a twelve-week qualifying period.  However, it is very important that agency workers make sure they are well informed about these rights, as concerns are growing that many employers are beginning to amend or renew contracts in an attempt to avoid ensuring them. I would like to see agency and employers using their energies in stepping up and implementing these rights in the spirit in which they were intended rather than seeking to find loopholes to avoidance.

Make Europe a zero tolerance zone for violence against women

On the occasion of the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November 2012), Amnesty International has urged the European union (EU) and all members of the Council of Europe to sign and ratify the Council of Europe Convention on preventing violence against women and domestic violence.  To this date only 17 countries of the Council of Europe have signed the convention. The EU has yet to sign – shame on it! Add to the pressure by signing the petition www.realmancampaign.com <http://www.realmancampaign.com>

DAVID MARTIN MEP (Scotland)
Midlothian Innovation Centre, Pentlandfield, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RE, Tel 0131 440 9040.
E: david@martinmep.com   Website:    www.martinmep.com

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