It's time to wake up social Europe, lacking panache

(B2) OPINION - The social ideal would not be European and Europe would not be social? This commonly held idea does not find its source in Community texts, contrary to what some like to repeat. Certainly the European texts are not perfect. But the idea of ​​social progress was present from the first steps of Europe. The treaty on coal and steel, signed in Paris in 1952, provided for various instruments to encourage vocational training and the improvement of housing. Goals that some would consider utopian today. The Treaty of Rome, later supplemented by the Single Act, includes social justice as one of Europe's fundamental objectives. Since then, the coordination of social security schemes, certain work rules (working time, dismissals) have been harmonized in a basic way... Or, at least, can be...

Isn't social Europe weak simply because the main players don't use it?

The first reason for this weakness is human and visceral

Generally, the social forces - trade unions, non-profit sector - have been in France, if not hostile to Europe, at least strongly reluctant or quite simply ignorant. Relying on a national social base, supposed to be more protective, they have always feared that standards adopted at Community level would lead employers or governments to breach existing law. Striking contrast with other countries. The Germans, CDU and SPD together, fought hard in the European Parliament to preserve the system of co-management, even going so far as to block several Community texts, in particular that on takeover bids. Considering the European Commission as, a priori, liberal, few of them considered it useful to resort to it. Even if fundamental issues such as industrial restructuring or public subsidies are at stake, how many unions have asked to be heard by Brussels in competition, state aid or cartel cases… Few! The social body did not understand - unlike the NGOs specialized in the environment or animal protection for example - the interest of bringing their "concerns" to Brussels.

The second reason is mechanical

While the social body has become absent subscribers, the followers of a liberal Europe make proposals, discuss or amend those on the table, in short participate in the debates. However, Europe is by nature sensitive to those who participate. Finally, public interest in the community “thing” seems to be declining. Europe has undoubtedly disappointed with unfulfilled ambitions — the opening of borders has not resulted in additional work opportunities for working citizens — or projects which may seem far from citizens' concerns or at all cases insufficiently explained and justified in the eyes of public opinion.

Social Europe already has a solid base which only asks to prosper….

The base exists

The general principle of equal opportunities between men and women, the rules on health and safety at work (asbestos, etc.), the principles of secondment of workers or transfer of companies have been established at the level European. Perhaps so integrated into our daily lives that we no longer see their origin. The European Social Fund has made it possible to finance a number of French programs: jobs for young people in their time, the rehabilitation of disabled positions or social plans.

The time has come

Instead of recriminating against the (European) Constitution which, of course, does not allow everything but does not prevent anything either, why not build a social project for Europe? The combined effect of the weakening of national social standards and the political deadlock of a situation at national level, has resulted in a desire to catch up is being felt at European level. This desire is all the more affirmed as the European Union feels the need to complete the internal market and to bring Europe closer to the citizens and as no legal obstacle, at least in terms of competences, no longer exists.

Projects abound

Currently we are witnessing a kind of breakdown of ideas on the pretext that the treaty does not allow it. However, many projects can be carried out without further modification of the Treaties. All it takes is political will. Let's start, for example, with the free movement of people. This possibility still remains, for economic, social or sociological reasons, marginal in relation to the circulation of goods or capital.

• Why not facilitate the circulation of each to look for a job, training, another place to live...? Some principles have been laid down, some rules exist, but the will to apply them is lacking within the national administrations. Bureaucratic obstacles are numerous and are only rarely sanctioned by Brussels.

• What would be unrealistic in building a European unemployment insurance system or, at least, to coordinate it more closely? This would allow the unemployed to keep their rights when they go from one country to another and really build a Europe of employment.

• What would be unrealistic about complete the foundation of European social law, minimal and embryonic, to make it a kind of universal and transversal base that could apply, whatever the country and the status of the person, employee?

• Would it also be unrealistic to invent a European employment contract model, combining training, employment in the private sector and passage in the public service. Or to boost vocational training at European level?

Would it be totally unrealistic to set up a fund for future generations, at European level, backed by the European Central Bank and funded by a minimal levy on European resources. For example, instead of returning budget surpluses to the States each year, why not return them to this fund? Or to provide for the new social systems, long-term care insurance for example, a European base.

• Would it be so difficult to include in the competition regulations, the obligation to hear staff representatives — currently considered as “third parties”! — in the event of major restructuring (merger or rescue/restructuring plan)?

• A big language training program for all employees, supported by Europe, will also be necessary to facilitate mobility and the adaptation of all to the Europe of tomorrow? etc..

(NGV)