Swapping austerity for attacks on rights at work is the new threat, says TUC

date: 5 June 2013

embargo: For immediate release

Speaking in Dublin later today (Wednesday) to trade union leaders from across Europe, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady will warn that the European Commission is relaxing its austerity measures only to replace them with a series of attacks on workers' rights.

Only last week the Commission issued country specific recommendations which granted more time for several countries - including France and Spain - to reduce their deficits in response to worsening economic data and growing popular protest.

However, in return for extending the deadline and easing up on austerity, the Commission is demanding that individual countries introduce a number of labour reforms - including cutting the minimum wage in France, increasing retirement ages in the Czech Republic and holding wage increases below inflation in Italy.

Frances O'Grady will tell delegates at the European Trade Union Confederation conference: 'Europe's leaders know that austerity isn't working. They've trashed the economy, and the people of Europe have said enough is enough.

'So while Europe's governments have been forced to slow down their public service cuts, they now plan to ratchet up cuts in wages, pensions and workplace rights in an attempt to keep wages down and appease David Cameron's demands for a repatriation of powers to the UK.

'By instructing Eurozone countries to reduce workers' rights, EU President Barroso risks firing the starting gun on a global race to the bottom.

'And if David Cameron gets away with breaking up Europe-wide employment standards, British workers will be the first to lose out.

'Instead of cutting public services, slashing pay and pensions and weakening employment laws, the Commission should be listening to ordinary people and their unions.

'What Europe needs now is a recovery programme and a youth guarantee to help the millions of young people desperate for work across all the member states. The Commission should also be tackling the obscene levels of inequality in wealth and power that led to the economic crash in the first place.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- Last Wednesday the European Commission issued country specific recommendations which will become legally-binding for Eurozone economies after the EU summit at the end of this month.

- France, Spain, Poland and Slovenia are to get an extra two years to reduce their budget deficits to below three per cent of gross domestic product. The Netherlands and Portugal are to each be given an extra year.

- The TUC's campaign plan can be downloaded from www.tuc.org.uk/campaignplan

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

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Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk