Response to DTI Consultation Paper
We note that the consultation document is directed mainly to business concerns. However, the TUC agrees with the Government that the issue of enlargement is a momentous one for Europe and its citizens and that the matter needs to be discussed widely.
Structural Funds
The Consultation Document does not deal with the reform of the structural funds which is a central concern for us in the context of Agenda 2000. The TUC is involved separately in consultations on that issue and a report will be prepared on the matter.
Institutional Aspects
Further discussions will also be required about the institutional repercussions of enlargement at EU level, following the failure of Governments to reach full agreement at Amsterdam.
Enlargement Process
We generally support the political and economic criteria adopted by the EU for assessing the applicant countries, as well as the approach of the Luxembourg European Council which agreed that negotiations start with the five most advanced applicant countries from central Europe (Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia) plus Cyprus. That does not mean that these countries would automatically join at the same time, even if the accession negotiations are successful. At the same time the pre-accession process will be launched for all applicants, adding Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Slovakia to the list. There will be a standing European Conference, which will open on 12 March, involving all of them. Turkey has also been invited, but is at present refusing to participate because of its deep disappointment at being excluded from the applicants' list by the Luxembourg European Council. The Presidency is looking at alternative ways of keeping Turkey involved through the Association Council. We would agree with the Presidency that encouragement should be given to westward-looking forces in Turkey, and in particular the trade union organisations.
Generally, however, while we support the process covered by the standing European Conference, we believe that it should not foster a belief that accession will inevitably follow. The application in each country of fundamental rights, including of course freedom of association, should be a sine qua non.
Conference Agenda
The Luxembourg European Council agreed that the agenda of the European Conference should include economic matters, which provides an opportunity for discussing some first pillar issues, including the social acquis which is our priority, as well as intergovernmental issues (JHA, CFSP). The discussions in the Conference should aim at encouraging a 'glide path' for applicant countries towards assimilating the Community acquis.
Social Partner involvement
The TUC has suggested that there should be arrangements for the social partners from all the countries concerned to shadow the standing conference. This was raised with the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary on 16 February by an ETUC delegation, who suggested that a first step would be to have the agreement in principle written into the conclusions of the March 12 intergovernmental conference. Robin Cook expressed agreement in principle, but said that he could not commit the Austrian Government to holding a meeting during their Presidency. He suggested that the matter be raised with them and said that the UK would be very supportive of a social partners' conference in the Autumn, if Austria agreed. The issue was subsequently raised with the Austrian Ambassador in London, together with the suggestion that Austria might prepare the working papers and agenda. The matter has also been raised with the Commission President, who is supportive and would be in a position to extend funding for the project.
UK Presidency Conferences
The UK Presidency plans to hold meetings with CEEC Employment Ministers in Budapest in March and Education Ministers in Prague in June. Mr Andrew Smith, Minister of State at the DfEE, informed the ETUC delegation that the social partners would be associated with the meetings, and this is to be welcomed.
Co-operation and Participation in EU bodies
The development of social dialogue in the applicant countries is an important objective in itself, as well as a means of reinforcing democratic development. The EU social partners, and in particular trade unions, have networks with colleagues with applicant states and have an important role to play.
The TUC supports the proposal of the ETUC that social partners from the accession countries should be granted observer status in the relevant EU consultative bodies and EU programme committees.
PHARE Programme
The TUC and some affiliated unions in the UK, as well as the European Trade Union Confederation and affiliated European Industry Federations have been involved in projects under the PHARE Democracy Programme. These projects have contributed to the development of social dialogue and to the increased understanding by trade unions of transition countries of the role of trade unions in a market economy.
Trade unions in central and eastern Europe have welcomed the constructive partnerships fostered by the PHARE Democracy Programme and the TUC supports continuation and reinforcement of the Programme.
Economic and Social Committee
The Economic and Social Committee provides a forum for joint meetings, and has held a number of hearings of representatives from economic and social organisations from the countries concerned (and separately with the TACIS countries). The ESC has already set up joint committees with counterparts in Hungary and Turkey in response to provisions to that effect included in the EU's agreements with those countries. Poland and Bulgaria have sought similar arrangements, and other countries are expected to follow suit. The Cypriot Foreign Minister has expressed particular interest. The ESC could provide a wide range of economic and social representation in the context of the proposal for shadowing the European Conference.
Role of Commission Delegations
Commission delegations in the countries concerned should be reinforced with labour and social affairs attachés to help build stronger links with economic and social organisations.
Social aspects
The TUC shares the worry of the European Trade Union Confederation, as expressed in its Memorandum to the UK Presidency, that in the whole set of instruments and programmes relating to the enlargement process the social dimension is insufficiently taken into consideration.
The European Union is not merely a market or an economic construction but is also a social model which prospective Member States should respect and gear themselves to as of now by establishing comparable social systems which incorporate fundamental social rights and the role of the social partners.
White Paper
The TUC supports the ETUC proposal that the Presidency should initiate the elaboration of a White Paper focussing on the social and employment situation of the applicant countries.
Involvement of Labour and Social Affairs Ministers
Up to now discussions appear to have concentrated on internal market and competition issues. Labour and Social Affairs Ministers should be fully involved in the negotiations.
Social Policy Acquis
It should be made clear that following Amsterdam there will be no opt-out available on
social policy. Robin Cook was quite clear on the matter, when he told the ETUC delegation that the Social Chapter is part of the acquis they will have to sign up to. Countries preparing for membership should aim towards complying in particular with directives on collective redundancies, acquired rights, working time, young workers, works councils, parental leave, and part-time work.
Free Movement of Labour
Free movement of workers will be a key consideration in the negotiations. This will probably be dealt with through fairly long transitional arrangements.
Racism and National Minority Treatment
The question of racism and the mistreatment of national minorities needs to be tackled through the adoption of an EU instrument well in advance of enlargement so as to enable all countries concerned (EU as well as applicants) to have a common basis to combat such activities. Preparations need to be undertaken in advance of the implementation of the Amsterdam Treaty which will provide a legal basis.
Fundamental Rights
The Treaty of Amsterdam includes references to:
-the Council of Europe European Social Charter signed at Turin on 18 October 1961 andthe 1989 Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers (Preamble TEU; Article 136 TEC)
-the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms signed in Rome on 4 November 1950 (Article 6(2) TEU)
Compliance with these instruments is a key reference point, and from the trade union point of view the provisions on freedom of association in particular, for all countries aspiring to EU membership.
The Council of Europe Social Charter has been ratified by Cyprus and Poland. The Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia have signed it and are in the process of ratification. This should be encouraged.
The European Social Charter has been revised recently and further protocols have been added. We would urge all countries Member of the Council of Europe to ratify and apply fully the up-dated instruments.
Employment
Agenda 2000 sets down a range of policies which need to be developed in the context of enlargement.
Among these we would support in particular action on employment, through increased
funding for research and development, training, and Trans European Networks.
In addition, the possibilities offered through the application of the Amsterdam Employment Title and the outcome of the special European Council on employment last November need to be pursued to the full, including maximising social partner involvement. Genuinely treating employment policy as a matter of common concern is vital to the future of the EU and must also apply to any new entrants.
Enlargement and EMU
Enlargement will probably occur in the context of most EU Member States joining the single currency. This will add to the strain on European economies, and their labour markets in particular, given the Luxembourg decision not to raise the ceiling of 1.27 per cent of GDP for the EU budget, and limited labour mobility.
The UK should avoid giving the impression to our partners that, by placing enlargement at the top of the priority list and through not participating in the EMU first wave, we are minimising or in any way seeking to undermine the single currency which is for them the prime objective.
18 March 1998
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