Brussels, 16/01/2014
“This report underlines the importance of a strong industry to support lasting and quality jobs in Europe,” said Jozef Niemiec, ETUC Deputy General Secretary. “Encouraging the reindustrialisation of Europe through the mobilisation of adequate financial means and through support for innovation is essential for Europe to get out of the crisis”.
The report is based on a comprehensive vision of industrial policy and also addresses related issues of relevancy such as training and skills of the workforce. It also strongly acknowledges the importance of industrial democracy.
“There is no credible industrial policy if workers are not taken into account, that’s why it is so important to promote training and worker’s participation through social dialogue” said Ulrich Eckelmann, IndustriAll Europe General Secretary.
The report also stresses the importance of common social and environmental norms to frame the development of international trade. It also deplores the absence of action by the European Commission to tackle restructuring, or social and wage dumping in Europe.
Moreover, this report does not favour re-industrialisation over the protection of the environment but suggests clever synergies between both goals. According to Ulrich Eckelmann, “all the challenges, economic, social, and environmental, must be dealt with at the same time through coherent and efficient policies.”
A European industrial policy, adequately funded, is a necessary condition for Europe to end the era of austerity and social deterioration. The ETUC and IndustriAll Europe welcome those that join them in building a new path for Europe.
