Campaign for Public Services Directive takes off in European Parliament
(Brussels, 31 May) The campaign for public services saw growing momentum build in the European Parliament (EP). On 30 May, both the Party of European Socialists (PES) and the Green Party/EFA launched initiatives calling for a framework directive on Services of General Interest. In addition the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee of the European Parliament debated the draft EP response to the Commission White Paper on Services of General Interest. MEP’s were near unanimous in their calls for the Commission to come forward with a concrete initiative on public services.
Carola Fischbach-Pyttel, EPSU General Secretary, welcomed the shift by the European Parliament. She stated that; “there is growing realisation among MEP’s that they need to protect public services at the EU level. The power of the European Commission and the blind application of Market rules by the European Court of Justice need to be counteracted by the responsible representatives of EU citizens”. She added “this initiative allows for constructive co-ordination with the European trade union movement to ensure that the contribution of high quality public services are recognised at EU level”.
At the PES Press Conference, Group President Mr. Martin Schulz MEP outlined their proposal. He stated that LEGAL CERTAINTY for public services was essential. He also noted that this initiative was being proposed by the PES to jolt the European Commission into action. Robert Goebbels MEP stated that; “we (the PES) are helping the Commission to exercise its right of initiative. They have ignored successive European Council’s, at NICE, LAEKEN, and BARCELONA, so we need to inspire them into action”.
Harlem Desir MEP made the comment that Europe must progress with solidarity and cohesion as well as the market, while his colleague, Ieke van den Burg MEP, underlined the importance of subsidiarity in this process which sets out the public service criteria, while allowing local and regional authorities to exercise their autonomy.
The GREEN/ EPA group also endorsed the need for a framework directive. Alain Lipietz MEP made the point that; “In the case of most public services there is NO DISRUPTION to the internal market”. Jean Lambert MEP urged that the need for a framework directive should also be supported because it sends a strong message to EU citizens that the EU is interested in guaranteeing universal, affordable public services.
The Economic and Monetary Committee of the EP, under the stewardship of Bernhard Rapkay MEP will vote on its response to the Commission white paper on services of general interest on 21 June.
EPSU will continue to coordinate its campaign for a framework directive throughout the 25 EU member states. In addition EPSU is working with the Public Service Employers’ organisation (CEEP) to draft a framework text on Services of General Interest. It is hoped that during the coming months, the social partners and the political parties in the EP can co-ordinate their activities.
More info’ on the Greens /EPA group position:
Services of General Interest: cornerstones of sustainable development, a Greens/EFA perspective, 30 May 2006
www.greens-efa.org
and the PES group:
Proposal for a Framework Directive on Services of General Economic Interest
www.socialistgroup.org
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