Published Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 09:25
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Don’t give up on New Social Europe!
The European social model needs to be renovated but its bases must be preserved. While we debate the reform of the European social model, we need to also debate the reform of globalisation. This includes, for example, the need for national and international redistribution and the need to stop the race to the bottom, both in taxes (so that states can afford good education and welfare for everyone) by initiating an international tax-cooperation, and in social standards by starting international cooperation to raise them.
We need concrete measures to ensure globalisation is politically controlled, such as a single EU representation in international financial institutions, the establishment of a UN Economic Security Council, and an efficient control over tax havens
Tackling social insecurity
The EU must tackle social insecurity: the PES should push for finding a coherent and effective answer. We need to give people a feeling of social human security – especially to young people. Therefore Manifesto should include proposals against youth unemployment, as well as against new forms of exploitation such as unpaid internships.
A balanced model of European flexicurity has to be achieved. As pointed out by MEP Harlem Désir, this model should be a better individual security to face economic changes. We need a coherent strategy around issues such as life-long learning, equal opportunities, and inclusion of senior workers. In this respect, Free Health Service and Free Education from cradle to grave should be part of the fundamental human rights of every citizen.
Ensuring decent work and decent life
Several participants noted the need for a European decent minimum wage, as a percentage of the national average wage. Someone proposed to automatically link salaries and the minimum wage to a basket of prices (as is done in Belgium), thus protecting the purchase power of the working class.
The possibility of taxing imports from poor countries which do not respect basic human rights and decent work criteria (very low wages, children labour…) was also debated. If some noted that this was necessary, others considered that such a tax would harm fair trade goods from those countries. The latter rather proposed to put pressure on the companies that import and sell goods made in poverty, support the setting up of trade unions in developing countries, and the establishment of an international transparent tracking system of goods, for example through "negative labelling" of companies that do not respect the minimum working protection standards.
Protecting citizens, not companies!
One of the main challenge is that of the regulation of public services. The PES must demand a thorough evaluation of the results of liberalisation and privatisation of some key sectors of public utilities in order to see whether this is is satisafying with respect to citizen needs. We will have to think about the best way to accomodate decent public services through state-run enterprises and competition rules of the common market.
Gender inequalities
Gender equality needs to be a priority for the Manifesto. Participants agreed on the need to raise awareness about the gender pay gap. Regarding equal opportunities, a participant noted that women and men should have the same rights and obligations towards their children; also, better child care facilities and parental leave would help mothers developing their professional careers. It is untolerable that women are forced to choose between family life and work. We must demand shared parenthood to ensure fathers also stay home with their children. The Manifesto should demand longer, more equally shared parental leaves for whole Europe, but also greater support for families with babies. Another participant noted that the priority should be to improve representation of women in politics.
A solution to the challenge of ageing societies
Most seniors do have plenty to offer to the community! As long as no one is prevented from having a peaceful retirement, pensioners should have the opportunity to develop their skills in a variety of social enterprises, some of which could prove lucrative. We need to find attractive and rewarding tasks that do not deprive others of paid employment but expand community services. It is necessary to adopt social and health policies based on the analysis of the needs of those suffering of rheumatic diseases.
Immigration
Several participants agreed that linking the job demand and offer, promoting immigrants to return to their home countries in order to contribute more consistently to their economies and trying to respect and integrate different cultures in Europe, is the right path to choose in order to have legal and sustainable immigration process
Invest in the future: education and R&D
Participants to the online discussions agreed that the EU should increase funding for research and development, including raising wages for scientists and stipends for PhD students (sufficient to support themselves, including social security contribution). Education was also seen as key to Europe’s future. A participant recommended that school be compulsory until the age of 18; others insisted that the key issue was equal access to education. The Manifesto should therefore support free education all over Europe. The issue of free university education was also debated, some supporting it in the name of equal opportunities and others worrying about taxpayers paying for the education of the wealthier. Participants also agreed on the need to raise financial aid, ensuring that every young person living in Europe could to obtain the opportunity to experience the Erasmus Programme.
Towards the international regulation of financial markets
Participants highlighted the need to regulate international financial flows. French and European activists noted that the Manifesto should propose a tax on financial flows, whose product would be used to ensure a more social globalisation. Participants also noted that the Manifesto could propose to sign the petition to repeal article 56 of the Lisbon Treaty which prohibits any restrictions on financial flows.
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