MAY DAY 2010: DECENT WORK AND FINANCIAL REGULATION MORE NECESSARY THAN EVER!
MAY DAY 2010: DECENT WORK AND FINANCIAL REGULATION MORE NECESSARY THAN EVER!
Europe and the world are still undergoing the effects of the economic and financial crisis, which is hitting jobs particularly hard. The quality of employment keeps being reduced with precarious jobs and atypical contracts reaching further and further into the population. The latest Eurostat figures show that more than 20 million people in Europe are working poor meaning that they have jobs but that the revenue from these jobs still does not place them over the poverty line.
In developing countries 1 in 4 people live on less than US$1.25 a day. With recent reports confirming that the Millennium Development Goals are not going to be met at current levels, this represents yet another broken promise by EU governments and delivers a further blow to the MDGs. In order to get back on track on the MDGs it is imperative EU member states demonstrate how they plan to meet the 0.7% target by 2015 and hold themselves to account.
Moreover, the lessons from the crisis are simply not being learnt. Whilst governments spent trillions of dollars to keep the banks up and running just one year ago, now, bankers are once again sucking vast sums of money out of the economy, speculating massively and placing currencies under attack. We need to have financial regulations, based on the principle of solidarity, and finally introduce a Financial Transaction Tax of 0.05%, a tiny levy which can result in huge sums that governments can then use for the public good.
If Europe cannot show what the benefits are of belonging to the EU and gives up the biggest advantages of the European Social Model, like social protection systems and inclusive societies, there will be danger in the European House. Results can already be seen with the reappearance of chauvinism in the public debate and the growth of racist and xenophobic parties in many European countries.
May Day is the day of international solidarity when workers and progressive forces stand together worldwide. This includes showing our support for countries like Columbia, where trade unionists and human rights defenders are persecuted and murdered simply for standing up for their rights! Europe needs to be reminded that it's all about jobs, but not just about any type of jobs, but quality jobs and employment which allow all people to live in dignity.
Tomorrow, let's stand together and call for decent work and a decent life for all!
Together stronger!
Conny Reuter, Secretary General