EU – Trade Unions – Austerity and industrial policy ‘absolutely contradictory’

Trade unions say the European Commission’s new industrial policy must be followed up with concrete actions.

The European Commission published a communication on industrial policy last week, attempting to re-launch manufacturing industry and calling fora “new industrial revolution” in Europe.

The industry is ready to lead the revolution, but it needs the right instruments, European trade unions said at a press conference Monday (15 October).

“We are glad to see that the Commission shares our view that onlya strong European industry can bring about economic recovery after years of crisis,” said Ulrich Eckelmann, secretary-general of IndustriAll Europe, a trade union representing 7.1 million workers in the manufacturing, mining and energy sectors.

“However, if the European Commission sticks to its current austerity policy strategy, the goals of the flagship for industrial policy would not be reached. These two strategies would be absolutely contradictory,” he stated.

The Commission’s communication, titled Mission Growth: Europe at the Lead of the New Industrial Revolution, sets a new aspirational goal to increase the industry’s share of EU GDP to around 20% by 2020, up from 16% currently.

The EU executive wants to promote the re-industrialisation of Europe built upon investment in innovation, better market conditions, access to finance and building human capital and skills…

via Unions: EU’s industrial policy ‘absolutely contradictory’ with austerity | EurActiv.