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Social Europe: Bringing Back Democracy at Work on the Eu Political Agenda

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Social Europe: Bringing Back Democracy at Work on the Eu Political Agenda SOCIAL EUROPE: BRINGING BACK DEMOCRACY AT WORK ON THE EU POLITICAL AGENDA EVENT REPORT | 3 - 7 MAY 2018 http://eurac.tv/9NUD With the support of SOCIAL EUROPE: BRINGING BACK DEMOCRACY AT WORK ON THE EU POLITICAL AGENDA EVENT REPORT | 3 - 7 MAY 2018 The global economy is undergoing major and http://eurac.tv/9NUD irreversible changes, which raises the question as to how to ensure workers’ voices are being heard and taken into account within EU-based companies. The Hans Böckler Stiftung held a two-day symposium that addressed the challenges not only workers in Europe are facing but also the new EU-leaders who will emerge after the May 2019 elections: How to protect and strengthen the capacity of workers and their representatives to influence strategic decisions within companies? How to improve workers’ information, consultation and participation rights at the EU-level? What can and should the European Commission do? Contents Putting the social dimension on equal footing with the economy 4 EU must offer ‘an agenda of hope’, says Socialist leader Bullmann 6 Strengthening workers’ voice, legal certainty for future Social Europe 8 European Dialogue 2018: Social Europe Strengthening Workers’ Voice 10 4 3 - 7 MAY 2018 | EVENT REPORT | SOCIAL EUROPE: BRINGING BACK DEMOCRACY AT WORK ON THE EU POLITICAL AGENDA | EURACTIV Putting the social dimension on equal footing with the economy By Claire Stam | EURACTIV.com identify with us, and only then can we really make a difference”. WHAT IS THE ISSUE? “All opinion polls show that having a secured job, a good education and social fairness are the most important issues for European citizens”, said Maria Jepsen from the European Trade Union Institute. Yet, the European project has Preparing a poster to be displayed at a symposium organised by Hans Böckler Foundation in Brussels on 26-27 April 2018. [EURACTIV] largely been focusing on economic development and on the EU internal market’s legal framing to the detriment n improved EU legislation that “2018 is particularly important of the social dimension, underlined boosts workers’ information, because it is the last chance to really Peter Scherrer, European Trade Union Aconsultation and participation deliver on workers’ rights before the Confederation (ETUC) Deputy General rights will push social matters higher up next European elections are held Secretary. on the EU political agenda, according to and the mandate of the European “A fair single market must deliver for the participants of a symposium about Commission expires [both in 2019],” both workers and businesses, not only workers held in Brussels on 26-27 April. Regner explained. for companies. Social and economic At stake, she explained, is “building issues must be on equal footing, and “There is a really intensive year for a stronger social safety net we are more progress towards democracy at workers’ rights that lies ahead of us and entitled to expect from the European work is urgently needed,” he said. we are in the middle of it,” MEP Evelyn Union”. Which is why workers’ participation Regner told the symposium, hosted by “A ‘Europe that protects’ is a nice and democracy at work should be put the Hans Böckler Foundation and the motto. But it is not only about physical high on the European political agenda, EU Trade Union Institute (ETUI). The security and police reinforcement we much higher than it currently is, event was dedicated to strengthening are talking about. We are also talking insisted Norbert Kluge, from the Hans workers’ voice. about social safety. The two, security Böckler Foundation. ‘Workers’ voice’ refers to and social safety, go hand in hand. And But the challenge is big. information, consultation, citizens expect the EU to deliver on this Anke Hassel from the Institute of participation and co-determination issue,” she said. Economic and Social Research within rights in the workplace, in companies Given the current defiance of EU the Hans Böckler Foundation released and in company supervisory and citizens towards European institutions, new findings at the event, showing how administrative boards. this might seem quite a challenging powerful transnational companies have Currently, workers representative task. become. have the right to seat in a company This is why MEP and socialist leader “In 2015, 69 out of 100 largest boardroom in 18 out of the 28 EU Udo Bullmann called for action: “People member states as well as in Norway. want to see us fight. Only then will they Continued on Page 5 3 - 7 MAY 2018 | EVENT REPORT | SOCIAL EUROPE: BRINGING BACK DEMOCRACY AT WORK ON THE EU POLITICAL AGENDA | EURACTIV 5 Continued from Page 4 wants to relocate its registered office. the EU level is the way forward because The proposed Directive therefore offers it levels down the race to the bottom in economic entities were companies. a basis for discussion, meaning there tax avoidance and non-completion of Walmart has higher revenues than the is definitely space for improvement,” workers’ rights between member states, government of Spain and Apple has Scherrer said. he added. higher revenues than the government “What is of very much importance Codetermination is a specific of Belgium,” she said. to us, is that we get into the process regulation related to workers’ rights “Transnational companies have long where we can introduce amendments, and representation at companies’ become major political and economic where we can change the proposals. supervisory boards. It is also a actors in Europe and beyond,” she Some people say the glass is half full or characteristic of Germany’s social and continued, adding that the decisions half empty. I would say the glass is 1/3 labour legislation. the top managers of these companies full at the moment”, he said. The Hans Böckler Foundation are taking have a powerful impact on The new proposals tackle the explained that codetermination in local communities and governments’ companies’ mobility issue, that is, the Germany defines a set of rights that give tax base, as well as on social and possibility for a company to move to employees the possibility of actively environmental standards. another member state without losing its participating in the shaping of their This is due to the entry of China, legal personality or having to liquidate working environment. India and the former communist or renegotiate their business contracts This includes legally stipulated countries into the global trading system beforehand. company-internal agreements devised in the early 1990s, a move that has The trade unions have been warning in conjunction with union contracts boosted globalisation extensively and that if not properly regulated, this might as well as informal determination contributed to the financialisation of result in abuse and unfair competition possibilities that have arisen from the economy, she explained. through artificial arrangements – for codetermination practice. “Transnational companies shape example via letterbox companies – in The European Court of Justice has globalisation. If globalisation is to be order for companies to avoid paying ruled that German codetermination made fairer, transnational companies taxes, social contributions and comply conforms to EU law. have to be better regulated and with workers’ rights. “Workers‘ participation and embedded into the societies where they “We are trying hard to prevent codetermination are not an obstacle to operate,” Hassel observed, adding that the use of letterbox companies”, said a productive and profitable economy, as a consequence, a better corporate Renate Nikolay, from the DG Justice at on the contrary, codetermination is governance fostering sustainable the European Commission but added: an asset for EU countries,” Norbert companies has to become a stronger “We have rules on cross-border Kluge continued, citing the findings concern amid European trade unions mergers, but no regulation on cross- released by Anke Hassel. «The active and other stakeholders. border divisions or cross-border participation of workers and their conversions.” representatives not only contributes to FOSTERING TAX JUSTICE “So what we are offering with employment stability but also boost the the new proposals is a balanced economy». In that regard, the European approach which enables businesses The study she conducted shows Commission has made a move in the to take advantage of the single market that member states like Sweden, right direction with the release on 25 while attaching to it a large number Denmark, Germany and Austria, with April of its proposals for new company of safeguards beneficial to workers”, strong workers’ participation rights law rules, participants said. Renate Nikolay said. in companies and in administrations, But there is much room for have the best economic performances. improvement, they warned. CODETERMINATION, A But the trade union community ETUC’s Peter Scherrer said at a first BOOST FOR THE ECONOMY finds that workers’ participation in the glance the proposals on cross-border companies is still kept at a low level conversions seem to show a welcome In the context of member state across the EU. change of direction in EU company competing against one another on “We need better and more efficient law, “which until now has facilitated tax issues, Norbert Kluge from the control instruments to strengthen deregulation and regime shopping”. Hans Böckler Foundation said Europe codetermination and workers’ “The Commission aims to ensure needs a new understanding of what participation rights in Europe. There that a company has genuine economic competition really means. is much to do in the coming months,” activity in the member state where it And pushing codetermination at Peter Scherrer said. 6 3 - 7 MAY 2018 | EVENT REPORT | SOCIAL EUROPE: BRINGING BACK DEMOCRACY AT WORK ON THE EU POLITICAL AGENDA | EURACTIV INTERVIEW EU must offer ‘an agenda of hope’, says Socialist leader Bullmann By Claire Stam | EURACTIV.com Bullmann: “What is the real reason behind the surge of populism in Europe?” [Horst Wagner] here is no alternative to the with far-right parties widely expected right-wing parties in Europe”, said European Union, but it needs to build on their recent gains at Bullmann.
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