Wednesday 30th May 2012 | 14:16

GMB: Solidarity in the EU must mean using collective strength to help struggling countries to recover and grow again

European Central Bank must respond to demands from electorates across Europe to deploy the necessary economic and monetary resources to resolve the on-going problems with the Euro and to restore confidence says GMB.

The GMB office in Brussels commented on the report issued today (30th May) from the European Commission with recommendations for budgetary measures and economic reforms to enhance financial stability, boost growth and create employment across the EU.

Kathleen Walker Shaw, GMB European officer, said “Today’s reports from the European Commission contains over 1000 pages of analysis but no action. After almost four year of crisis, the EU institutions and leaders must recognise that the time for diagnosis is over, and the need for a sustainable cure is pressing. A cure based on growth through targeted investment and job creation
strategies, not self-defeating austerity and labour deregulation.

It is vital that progressive forces across the European Union push for a change of direction from the harsh austerity-only strategy currently being pursued by the right-wing elites, which is not only
economically flawed, but also socially damaging.

Trade unions must play a decisive role by working together in shaping and promoting an alternative strategy which is based on the principle of solidarity and on a progressive vision of fairness, investment and jobs.

In particular, the trade union movement must break down and challenge the negative stereotypes about fellow workers across Europe that are currently being pushed to deflect attention from the real culprits.
The movement’s strength is in its unity and attempts to divide people must be rejected.

Solidarity is one of the founding principles of the EU, but yet, it is the leaders of the EU that are forcing struggling countries like Greece into a never-ending self-destructive cycle. Solidarity in the EU must mean using collective strength to help struggling countries to recover and grow again.

In addition, all the institutions of the EU including the European Central Bank must play their part in responding the clamour from electorates across Europe for them to deploy the necessary economic
and monetary resources to resolve the on-going problems with the Euro and to restore confidence.”