6 October 2011
Sustainable growth and employment can only be safeguarded through European cooperation. That means improving the competitiveness and innovativeness of all of Europe's Member States. The chairpersons of the national employers’ associations and trade union federations and the chairman of the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands therefore support a policy of helping the weak European Member States overcome their present difficulties, albeit subject to strict conditions. As a single economic bloc, the euro zone is in better shape financially than the United States. They have addressed a letter to the Dutch Government to that effect.
The chairpersons are very worried about the lack of unity and vigilant action in European politics, especially at a time when circumstances are calling for Europe’s leaders to pull together. Time is not on our side. Vigorous European decision-making can no longer be delayed. Decisions must be taken later this month to resolve the crisis and put everyone’s mind at ease. The chairpersons wish to support the Dutch Government in attaining this aim.
Europe must be strong in both the economic and the social sense: only then will it be able to cope with the rapidly changing world economy and protect its inhabitants against the whims of the international capital markets. Europe’s social dimension can and must be improved simultaneously with its economic dimension. It is vital that as Europe becomes more competitive, it also continues to protect a well-balanced system of fundamental and workers’ rights.
Note for editors
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For more information, contact Mariek de Valk, T +31 (0)70 3499 648, m.de.valk@ser.nl