Nicolas Sarkozy ontmoet de Europese vakbondsfederatie (en)

On Monday, 1 September, the President of the French Republic, in his role as current president of the European Council, met with a delegation from the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) led by its President, Wanja Lundby-Wedin, and General Secretary, John Monks. The meeting was also attended by the leaders of French trade unions belonging to the ETUC: Bernard Thibault (CGT), François Chereque (CFDT), Jean-Claude Mailly (FO), Jacques Voisin (CFTC) and Alain Olive (UNSA).

The ETUC representatives expressed their concern on the issue of employees sent abroad by their employers, who, in certain countries, could see some of their social rights reduced compared with their colleagues in the country where they work. Ms Lundby-Wedin and Mr Monks wrote a letter on this issue to the French Presidency, which will reply to it as soon as possible. The President of the French Republic agreed that this is indeed an important issue. A study should be carried out to assess the extent of this phenomenon and analyse it from a legal perspective, in particular, and be followed by an examination of whether corrective measures at national or European level are desirable. The social partners will be closely involved in these debates.

The ETUC representatives also voiced their concern on the European economic situation to the President of the French Republic and their desire to see the EU develop a 'green energy policy' as a source of economic growth and sustainable development. The President of the French Republic said that he would do his utmost to ensure that the energy-climate package, the aims of which are particularly ambitious, is adopted by the Council in the coming months.

The President also recalled how important the work of the European social partners is and how their capacity to conclude agreements amongst themselves could accelerate the process and enhance the acceptability of reforms. He, therefore, asked the delegates not to spare their efforts to use social dialogue at European level to put forward proposals and spur on reform.