South Eastern Europe Energy Policy hangs in the balance
Press Communication: Brussels Wednesday, 27 June 2007 (immediate release)
South Eastern Europe Energy Policy hangs in the balance
29 June meeting in Montenegro “last chance to avoid major error on social policy”
(27 June, Brussels)Energy Ministers from South Eastern Europe are set to green light further energy policies to open their markets to competition and expose workers and citizens to market forces at their meeting in Podgorica, Montegro on 29 June. Unfortunately they are due to do so without signing the “Memorandum of Understanding on the Social Aspects of the Energy Community"
“Trade Unions are tired of being proven right after the fact”
EPSU deputy General Secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan stated that; “Unless common sense prevails on the 29th, South East European energy policy is doomed to make the same mistakes, which have dogged the EU Internal market for energy”. He added that; “we are tired of being proven right after the policy has been implemented. The time to ensure a balanced approach is now”.
Blackouts, Job losses and social exclusion due to volatile prices have characterised the EU energy project.
EPSU is advocating the following measures to ensure a balanced approach, and to guarantee that the same mistakes are not repeated;
Develop public service obligations to ensure safe and reliable electricity and gas services
Start implementing European social legislation and social action plans
Work to protect citizens and ensure that the price of electricity and gas is affordable for all in society and that the poor will not be disconnected from an essential service
Guarantee Social dialogue and trade union rights in line with the European standard.
A number of trade unions actions, in countries such as Romania and Serbia, are scheduled across the region in advance of the Montenegro meeting.
The Memorandum of Understanding is the result of an EPSU Coordinated trade union campaign. Governments are delaying signing and implementation.
For more information on the position of EPSU and research papers on the internal market for electricity and gas http://www.epsu.org/r/324 and on South East Europe: http://www.epsu.org/r/239
To arrange for interviews with EPSU Deputy General Secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan, please contact Brian Synnott at bsynnott@epsu.org or +32 474 98 96 75
EPSU is the European Federation of Public Service Unions. It is the largest federation of the ETUC. 8 million public service workers from over 200 trade unions are members. They organise workers in the energy, water and waste sectors, health and social services and local and national administration.
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