Mirek Topolánek receives memorandum from European Trade Union

The Czech Prime Minister and President of the European Council appreciated that the European Trade Union Confederation considers the priorities of the Czech Presidency legitimate and he emphasised that these priorities include a significant social aspect in all areas (Economy, Energy and European Foreign Policy).

“The European Union may face the consequences of the financial crisis and the threat of growing unemployment particularly by strengthening its competitiveness”, stated the President of the European Council and he added that the January meeting of EU ministers for social affairs in Luhačovice also emphasised, among other issues, the importance of higher mobility of workers within a united market.

Secretary General of the ETUC John Monks expressed his agreement with the opinion that the protective measures of the EU Member States may prolong the crisis rather than solve it; and he supported the objective to facilitate transfers of workers across professions, regions and individual Member States.

Czech Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Petr Nečas remarked that due to different points of departure the financial crisis has different impact in each Member State and that the tools for combating its negative consequences need to reflect this fact.

In a live broadcast from Brussels European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Vladimír Špidla emphasised that maintaining employment is the joint objective of all social partners and he further called for maintaining mutual dialogue.