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Brussels,
May 2004
Memorandum
for a social Europe
2004-2009
Christian
democratic workers' demands of the European Union
The process of European Unification is the greatest success of the 20th
century. It will only last on when we overcome the focus on the Economic
Community and realise - based on the constitution - the core of the
European Idea: overcome borders, bring people together, strengthen the
social and regional cohesion. Therefore we need a European Union which
-
looks for opportunities for collaboration on regional and national
level in all areas
-
promotes long-term employment
-
fights every form of discrimination
-
even with an eye on world trade defends social and ecological points
of view
-
carries through an humane asylum and migration policy
-
works to prevent war and maintain peace
The process of
European Unification will only be successful based on the principle
of subsidiarity. Therefore we need next to a strengthening of the representative
democracy (more rights for the European Parliament) also a further development
of the participative democracy and - in employment and social policy
- of the dialog of the social partner.
We
want ….
…
a European Union that sees economic and financial policy as a means
to an end, not as a goal in itself
- price stability,
economic growth and (quality) employment as equally important objectives;
and linked to this: high standards of social protection
…
a European Union that tries to achieve greater coordination in taxation
policies
- the principle
of majority instead of unanimous voting (so that the EU is able to
act)
- the principle
of progressivity (he who earns more, can carry greater burdens)
- reduce the
levy on work, increase the levy on (money) capital
- secure state
revenues to safeguard the funding of its necessary responsibilities
…
a European Union that continues to develop the European Social Model
- The aim: Full
employment in good quality jobs
- on the basis
of the constitution, an European employment strategy on equal footing
with economic and financial strategy
- developing
the principle of majority voting in EU social policy
- completing
European regulations in the area of workers' rights and social protection
- worker participation:
improving criteria for information and consultation
- strengthening
the European Social Dialogue
- excluding state
subsidies for employing at-risk groups in the labour market from European
(competition) control
- increasing
European efforts to fight poverty and discrimination
- strengthening
European cooperation to achieve stability of social security systems
(basic right; principle of solidarity);
…
a European Union that corrects the liberalisation of public services
in both social and ecological terms
- ensuring the
supply of high quality services at affordable prices
- taking into
account the effects on employment of unfettered privatisation
We want a European Union that sees the countries
of Central and Eastern Europe not as "special economic areas", where
good business is being made based on low salaries, but as countries,
which - with their history and culture - enrich the countries of Western
Europe and which contribute to make Europe an even more open space where
people live together in peace.
The
European Union of Christian Democratic Workers (EUCDW) consists of 23
workers' organisations from 15 countries and is an association of the
European People's Party (EPP).
responsible: following a decision of the board - Christoph Weisskirchen,
secretary general
EUCDW
European Union of Christian Democratic Workers
c/o EPP,
Rue du Commerce / Handelsstraat 10
B-1000 Brussels
E-mail: EUCDW
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