(29 April 2016) I was sad to learn of the news that Prince had died – he was one of those artists that captured the heart and mind. A pub I visited in a town nearby my parents was called Sign of the Time; I’ve danced to his songs. He was also a trade union member, trying to get out from under the yoke of exploitative employers.
If an artist which such renown can have a hard time, how much more difficult it is for a worker to stand up to her employer? That is why in the European Economic and Social Committee on Monday 25th April EPSU defended the rights of home-carers. These workers, who look after those in need in their homes, receive low wages and face precarious working conditions. Many women and migrants are active in these services, and they risk exploitation in their daily work. Last Monday, EPSU defended their rights, highlighted the importance of training and called for better funding for care services. The European Parliament this week adopted a report that stresses many of the points we are making. Health and safety for home carers is just one of the concerns of MEPs listed in the report.
Health and safety was a big theme for unions this week. Thursday 28 April was international Workers Memorial Day – the annual day of commemoration and remembrance for the workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work. 3,515 workers died in the EU in 2012 in reported work related accidents and one hundred thousand people die every year in the EU from work-related cancers. It was therefore welcome news when EU Commissioner Marianne Thyssen announced on Twitter that she would come forward with legislation to address work-related cancers. Firefighters are one group of workers exposed to materials that cause cancers. The EPSU firefighters network has been active in highlighting how poisonous substances found in the workplace can be. The most poignant example of occupational cancer is of course Chernobyl (and Fukushima) Many of the so-called liquidators following the nuclear disaster in Ukraine, firefighters among them, died; 30 years after the incident large areas are still inhabitable. Our Ukrainian colleagues commemorate them each year and this year the unions protested against the cuts in the funding for the victims of that nuclear meltdown. Austerity policies even have an impact here.
Speaking of austerity, the Eurogroup seeks to impose new austerity measures on Greece. New conditionalities are to be agreed before the Eurogroup will start discussions on debt relief for the hard-stricken country. Supposedly even the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, has called this undemocratic.
The EPSU Executive Committee is concerned about the continuation of such policies, which undermine the democratic and social nature of the EU and give space for Eurosceptics and the far-right. Contrary to these groups, EPSU does stand with the EU: we call for a more democratic and social Europe, as outlined in a statement adopted by our Executive Committee. Our vision was echoed in President Obama’s speech to the European people, reminding us of the magnitude of all that has been achieved collectively. Only an echo, mind, because the American president still puts much reliance in markets and free trade agreements such as TTIP. This collectivity is something the far-right and Eurosceptics do not appreciate as they exploit the rhetoric of “us versus them” – “them” being not just refugees and migrants, but other people too.
For many 1st May will be an occasion to voice our concerns and opposition to the far-right view of Europe. We will demand tax justice and the redistribution of wealth. The money is there to invest in public services, in tackling poverty and in addressing environmental problems. We need political will and organization to see funds redirected to support these goals. To end with Prince: We March. We March to achieve a better future.
Jan Willem Goudriaan
EPSU General Secretary
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