date: 6 June 2006

embargo: 00.01hrs Thursday 8 June 2006

UK workers owe much to Europe, and it's the best defence against the downsides of globalisation

Many of the advances in workplace rights that employees take for granted would not have become law in the UK if it were not for Europe, says a pamphlet published today (Thursday) by the TUC.

And the best defence that the UK economy has against the negative human costs of globalisation comes from being part of a strengthened social Europe, not a single market at the mercy of the markets, deregulation and increased liberalisation, says the pamphlet written by MEP Stephen Hughes and ex-TUC Assistant General Secretary, David (now Lord) Lea.

'Europe and your rights at work' says that many of the protections that we have come to accept at work such as the right to a minimum of twenty days paid annual leave and the enshrining of the concept of equal pay in UK law, began life as directives in Europe.

The TUC pamphlet, which includes forewords from current TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber and former TUC boss John Monks (who now heads up the European Trade Union Confederation), urges trade unions to continue to press for a better Europe, one that has people, not just the interests of business, at its heart.

'Europe and your rights at work' features 12 key rights emanating from Europe that have improved the quality of all UK workers' contracts of employments including sex discrimination law, the Transfer of Undertaking (TUPE) principle - which protects the terms of conditions of employees whose jobs are contracted out - , equal treatment for part time workers and limits on working time.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'UK politicians like to claim the good things from Europe as their own, and blame it for anything unpopular. Yet some of the most popular and worthwhile changes in the workplace have come direct from Europe. This is not just because the social European model balances the needs of employees, consumers and the environment in a way alien in unfettered US capitalism, but because it makes sense to introduce such changes throughout the world's biggest market.

'But there is still more that could be done at European level to protect vulnerable workers such as bringing the now shelved agency workers directive back to life, and more in the UK to promote and protect social Europe.'

Lord Lea said: 'The Chancellor - among others - has been warning against the dangers of protectionism. The message of this booklet is that there is a trade-off. If we wish to avoid protectionism in relation to trade, then protection of a different kind is needed - a model of economic restructuring that protects the rights and living standards of those now in the front line affected by globalisation. That is the only way to give people confidence in playing their part in accelerating structural change. And it is why we say that the social dimension is even more vital in the next 30 years than it has been in the last 30.'

Stephen Hughes MEP said: 'If Europe is to succeed it has to have relevance in the daily lives of its citizens, its working people and their families. It is social Europe, Europe's social agenda that has provided and must continue to provide that relevance.

'The European wide opinion survey "Eurobarometer" is now showing that Europe's citizens are more concerned about a growing sense of insecurity than anything else. As globalisation continues to unfold we have to find new ways to balance flexibility for companies with the necessary degree of security for workers working in and moving between those firms. Without that balance working people will stand against change rather than embrace it.

'The European social model, the social agenda and the vital joint work of the two sides of industry are crucial to the achievement of that balance.'

John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation said: "Like it or not, nobody lives any longer on an island called the nation-state. There is no national response to globalisation, but there is a European one. The EU is the only region in the world that is more than just a free trade zone, offering a unique model for combining economic growth with social progress, reconciling the interests of different sectors of society through social dialogue. Globalisation needs regulation, if it is not to degenerate into a free-for-all ruled by rampant casino capitalism. Europe makes it possible to create a framework to help working people handle the challenges of globalisation, through active labour market policies and strong social protection."

Endorsing the pamphlet, ex-EU Commissioner Lord Kinnock said: 'This booklet provides information about people's legal EU rights at work in an objective, lucid and easily accessible way. I hope that it will be widely read.'

'Europe and your rights at work' says that during the 1980s and early 1990s Europe was the only means by which UK workers were able to benefit from enhanced rights at work. It also says that workplace rights that begin life in Brussels are long lasting rights, because individual European governments cannot repeal them or weaken them subsequently.

As for the future, the authors express concern that businesses and some European governments are pressing Europe to slow down on the social front. Those who want to see Brussels pursue a liberalised, deregulated, more flexible agenda argue that this is the only defence Europe has against the emerging economies of China and India. To the contrary, the pamphlet argues that the successful Scandinavian economies prove that it is possible to have sound rights at work, safe and equal workplaces and well-run economies.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

A copy of 'Europe and your rights at work' can be found at http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/europerights.pdf

Copies of the pamphlet cost £10 (£5 to trade unions) and are available from TUC publications http://www.tuc.org.uk/publications/index.cfm

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Contacts:

Media enquiries: Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07778 158175; E: media@tuc.org.uk

Press release (1,100 words) issued 8 Jun 2006