Press release (23 September 2010, Brussels) European Commissioner for Energy Günther H. Oettinger emphasised that within the 2020 Strategy “Job creation in the energy sector is key for the future of employment in the European Union”.
The Commissioner addressed the EPSU European Utilities conference. The conference brought together a large number of trade union leaders from the European Union, Balkan and neighbouring countries like Norway, Turkey and Russia. Oettinger highlighted that next year will be crucial for the future of the EU energy policy with an entire day at the European Council devoted to the future of Europe’s energy policy. He stressed “{that the Europeanisation of the energy policy will become a reality. We are on the eve of a European energy network}”. In this context he welcomed the participation of EPSU in the framing of this new policy.
Sven Bergelin, President of the EPSU’s Energy group and Chair of the conference, welcomed the focus of the Commission on developing skilled and qualified employment in the energy sector. He further stressed “Europe’s energy policy is to address working conditions, health and safety, training and professional skills, regional development and tackling energy poverty”.
This theme was echoed by ETUC Deputy General Secretary Joël Decaillon who said that “{trade unions represent not only for workers but also are the defenders of families, citizens and their communities as well as the general interest”.
The conference expressed concerns about the consequences of privatizations for the energy, water and waste policy of the EU. Other issues addresses where future energies scenarios, the policies of Europe’s energy corporations such as: EDF, GdF, EON, RWE, ENEL...
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