The European paper sector currently accounts for 22% of world production, with an annual investment of over €5 billion in Europe. Our sector directly employs over 180,000 people, while the wider European forest-based value chain provides employment to 4 million workers.
The European Social Partners in the pulp and paper sector, industriAll Europe and Cepi, in this joint statement call for EU policies that will secure the future of the sector and keep future-proof, high-quality jobs in Europe.
A quality job is one that provides a decent wages, ensures work-life balance, respects physical and psychological health and safety standards, and considers the conditions of both direct employees and those in subcontracting and supply chains.
Maintaining the strength of the European industry is vital for ensuring sustainable growth and quality jobs in Europe. This is especially important in today’s context of intense global competition, rising energy costs, the green transition and thedemographic changes. The maintenance of quality jobs is a crucial element for building a more resilient society, paving the way to a more just, peaceful, sustainable, and forward-looking transition.
In this joint statement we call to:
- Ensure a Just Transition for our industries and workforce with a strong Industrial Policy, which should not be to the detriment of the EU’s environmental and societal goals,
- Develop a re-skilling and upskilling agenda,
- Promote social dialogue and involve social partners in the transition
- Ensure a stable and coherent regulatory environment for our Industries.