Just days before publication of the European Commission’s "Energy and Climate Change" package, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has read the latest versions of the documents being drawn up by the EU executive. It notes with great concern that the issues of employment and social transition have been left out of the package. The ETUC consequently calls on the Commission to amend its proposal on these key points.
"It is paradoxical that, while the employment argument is used extensively in the Member States, either to oppose or to support more stringent measures to combat climate change, the Commission acts as if this question did not exist at European level", commented ETUC General Secretary John Monks.It is imperative to revise three points:
* the introduction of a carbon tax on imports
In parallel with the greater commitments imposed, it is essential for the Union to protect heavy industry in Europe, and the corresponding jobs, against unfair competition from countries not willing to make the same effort. The risks for the competitiveness of energy-intensive sectors have been demonstrated by a number of scientific studies, including one carried out for the ETUC in 2007.
See full Press Release.
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