| Author (Person) | Beatty, Andrew |
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| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.12, No.8, 2.3.06 |
| Publication Date | 02/03/2006 |
| Content Type | News |
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By Andrew Beatty Date: 02/03/06 Europe’s businesses and trade unions have attacked European Commission proposals to launch a EUR 500 million retraining fund for workers left unemployed as a result of greater global competition. Unveiling his proposal for the fund yesterday (1 March), Commission President José Manuel Barroso said that it would "show that Europe cares". "If we support the EU, we have to explain to citizens that we are positive about globalisation and the opportunities it brings, but at the same time we want to address the concerns of those who may be suffering," he said. Lay-offs as a result of the highly publicised issue of cheap Chinese shoe imports were "typically a case where the fund might have an opportunity," Barroso said. European businesses said that the plans would send the wrong signal to European citizens. Arnaldo Abruzzini, secretary-general of the trade association Eurochambres, said: "Globalisation should be presented and perceived as an opportunity for Europe to generate growth and to create jobs in future-oriented sectors. Instead, this fund may give the impression that we can protect Europe from the rest of the world, which we cannot." While it welcomed the plan, the European Trade Union Confederation said that it "criticised the Commission’s approach that limits support to workers affected by restructuring or relocation outside the EU but not within it". The Commission hopes that the fund, which needs the approval of EU governments, will be up and running by January 2007. Comments by the trade association Eurochambres and the European Trade Union Confederation on the European Commission's proposal, presented on 1 March 2006, for a €500m Globalisation Adjustment Fund. |
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| Source Link | http://www.european-voice.com/ |
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| Subject Categories | Employment and Social Affairs |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
