Implementation of the Memorandum now! say energy trade unions South East Europe

(October 1, 2008) The electricity and gas trade unions of South East Europe met to discuss progress with the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Social aspects of the Energy Community.

Although in most countries working groups have been established to work out the national social action plans, unions from several countries complain that not much substance has been discussed yet. Issues of importance to the trade union group are amongst others:

- Protecting the interests of low income users in society. Citizens have a right to energy and should not be disconnected; concrete examples were discussed of how unions stand up for low income users; even reconnecting families and poor people to assist in finding solutions;
- Establishing an effective and working social dialogue. Governments have a role to play to facilitate this;
- Employers need to be more engaged and involved; one way is through collective agreements;
- The process of implementing the Energy Community should be longer to ensure there is more time to deal with the practical social consequences of restructuring as the Energy Community will bring with it;
- Working institutions should be established to monitor and oversee the energy sector before privatisation is engaged in. The unions repeated their call for a Moratorium on privatisation of the gas and electricity utilities. The example of Romania was spelt out which indicated how the new and foreign owners were violating agreement and not investing as promised. In a reaction the Romanian government is now trying to create public companies;
- Training is needed for both trade unions and employers (and government representatives) as regards the significance of social dialogue and information and consultation;
- While the unions agree that practical experience with the functioning of the Social Forum and social plans needs to be build up, the Memorandum should become a legally binding document and a process started to realise this.

The unions agreed to raise these issues during the Social Forum in Tirana.

Speakers at the meeting included representatives of the Croatian energy ministry, the energy company, the European Commission (DG Employment) on the European social directives, and the European Energy Community Secretariat on the Energy treaty and the preparation for the Social Forum in Tirana.

Frank Hantke represented the German Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, the main sponsor of the Round Table, Josef Krejbych of the PSI office in Prague and EPSU Deputy General secretary.

Trade union representatives came from all countries in the region and including Ukraine and Georgia.

The meeting was organised 29-30 September 2009, Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb Platfrom -
Trade union demands regarding the implementation of the
Memorandum of Understanding on the Social Aspects of the Energy Community
and the National Social Action Plans,
September 2008