The manifesto, which calls on EU leaders to finally “put workers first” after a decade of austerity and deregulation, will be launched at a public event at the Thon EU Hotel (Netherlands III Room) between 14:00 and 15:30 on Tuesday 2 April. You can register your attendance by emailing: laura.vanderstraeten@industriall-europe.eu

It warns the many achievements of the European integration process are at risk because of a “crisis in trust” which has opened up between citizens and EU leaders during the financial crisis and is now being exploited by populists.

In response to this unprecedented challenge, IndustriAll Europe calls on political parties to offer voters a positive alternative of a truly social Europe and for the 7 million workers we represent to go out and vote for candidates who share our vision for the future of Europe.

At the launch event, IndustriAll Europe General Secretary Luc Triangle will say:

“This year’s European elections are the most important ever, with the very future of the EU at stake.

“There’s only one solution to save it: a real social Europe which wins back the trust of working people by improving their daily lives.

“It’s time to end austerity and put workers first by pursuing policies that create quality jobs with secure contracts, raise wages right across the continent, make workplaces more democratic and deliver on the promise of a just transition to a green economy.

“That will ensure workers see Europe as the solution to the challenges we all face, like growing inequality, climate change and digitalization. It would ensure workers know Europe is on their side again.”

IndustriAll Europe’s manifesto calls for the following key demands:

  • Jobs: Access for all to standard full-time open-ended contracts and a pay rise for workers across the EU to ensure they get a fair share of the wealth they’re generating.

  • Social: Concrete and swift implementation of the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights as part of an end to austerity and the creation of a reliable social safety net.

  • Democracy: That collective bargaining of wages and working conditions be enforced along with the right to information, consultation and participation in company decisions.

  • Manufacturing: A ‘Made in Europe’ industrial strategy that creates badly needed jobs and puts industry at the forefront of tackling societal challenges like climate change.

  • Environment: A ‘Just Transition’ to a low-carbon economy which ensures that ambitious environment policies are matched by ambitious social policies.

industriAll Europe’s General Secretary Luc Triangle will be joined at Tuesday's event by the following speakers:

  • Maria Arena MEP (Socialist Party, Belgium)
  • Josef Středula (President CM KOS, Czech Republic)
  • Marie Nilsson (President IF Metall, Sweden)
  • Nico Cue (former MWB-FTGB President, Belgium, and GUE Spitzenkandidat)

You can also read this press release in French and German.

The manifesto can be read in full in English, French and German on our website: https://news.industriall-europe.eu/c/manifesto-2019