The global financial and economic crisis has now been ongoing for five years. People in Southern Europe, in particular, are suffering from a crisis for which they are not to blame. It is primarily workers who are bearing the brunt of the crisis, while those responsible for the crisis in the financial centers and the owners of vast fortunes are allowed to get off scot-free.
The one-sided and rigorous austerity policies are exacerbating the crisis. The result is an unreasonable burden on workers. They fear for their jobs—if they haven’t already lost them. Unemployment has risen steadily. High youth unemployment, in particular, is a heavy burden on the affected countries. It is a scandal that Europe’s best-educated young generation often has no prospects for secure and decent jobs. Wages are being cut, workers’ rights are being abolished, and pensions and social benefits are being slashed—even though people need social protection more than ever during this crisis.
Workers’ rights are fundamental rights. We condemn in the strongest terms the attacks on collective bargaining autonomy and the erosion of workers’ rights. Europe does not need fewer rights or less protection for workers, but rather more and secure jobs, social security, and justice, as well as a strengthening of democracy.
Instead of austerity measures that are destroying Europe, we need crisis solutions based on solidarity and programs for growth and employment. This is not just about the working conditions and prospects of our colleagues in Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The crisis does not stop at national borders. If workers’ rights are weakened across Europe and demand continues to plummet, the crisis will also reach countries that have not yet been affected.
The foundation of European integration is our shared commitment to a democratic and social Europe. This includes strong unions and workplace employee representation, the protection of collective bargaining autonomy, and respect for fundamental workers’ rights. Together, we are committed to a democratic and socially just Europe. Only together can we stop the unacceptable social cuts and the erosion of workers’ rights.
Together, we stand for a politically united, economically strong, and socially just Europe:
. Europe needs sustainable growth through an active, coordinated, and democratically legitimate economic and industrial policy to secure its industrial base.
. Saving the euro requires joint liability among all eurozone countries and joint oversight of national budgets by democratically legitimate institutions such as the European Parliament.
. Europe needs comprehensive financial market regulation.
. The European Union needs the support of its people. To achieve this, it must become a social union.
. The European Union needs a political union.
IG Metall supports the trade unions in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece in their protests and strike actions.
