THE BALTIC SEA REGION: A REGION WITH DECENT AND MODERN JOBS

Transcription

1 THE BALTIC SEA REGION: A REGION WITH DECENT AND MODERN JOBS Summary of the deliberations and proposals from the report of The Joint Baltic Sea Group. Content: - The Baltic Sea region: A region with decent and modern jobs - Social justice is the modern answer - Active labour market policies - the brand of social democrats and likeminded trade unions - The public sector - friend not foe for modern Europeans - Lifelong learning, research and development - Public investment for a global future - The Baltic Sea - A European region - 5 concrete proposals for a Baltic Sea region with decent and modern jobs: * A guarantee for jobs and education for all young people under 25 years of age around the Baltic Sea *An information system for citizens on the labour market around the Baltic Sea * A joint effort for more and better jobs and increased cooperation on labour market issues in the Baltic Sea region * Making enterprises around the Baltic Sea observe the fundamental workers and trade union rights and fighting against the grey economy *Equal opportunities for men and women at the labour market around the Baltic Sea

2 Summary of the analysis and proposals of the report from The Joint Baltic Sea Group The Baltic Sea Region: A region with decent and modern jobs The enlargement of the European Union has brought a challenge to the labour markets in the Nordic countries and Germany and at the same time the Baltic States and Poland are faced with a great challenge to build welfare societies. That is why we have found it important to develop a joint strategy for the trade union movement and the social democrats around the Baltic Sea, says Tarja Filatov, chair of The Joint Baltic Sea Group. Social democratic parties and likeminded trade unions decided to establish The Joint Baltic Sea Group in The Group gathered a number of representatives of the social democrats and likeminded trade unions from the EU-countries around the Baltic Sea and it was led by Tarja Filatov, Finnish Minister of Labour and Vice-president of the Social Democratic Party of Finland. The Group is now presenting its deliberations and proposals. The aim is to establish a strong social and labour market component for the Baltic Sea cooperation in the coming years. Thereby there is also a platform for the future cooperation between the social democrats and trade unions in the region. The report of The Joint Baltic Sea Group is focusing on: Social justice as the modern answer to the challenges of the open and global economy Active labour market policies as a stronghold in a time of restructuring of industry and services The public sector as the core of a modern and dynamic society Lifelong learning, research and development as important elements in a strategy for jobs and growth in an open, global and knowledge based economy The Baltic Sea as a European region of global significance The Joint Baltic Sea Group presents 5 concrete proposals for a stronger cooperation around the Baltic Sea: A guarantee for jobs and education for all young people under 25 years of age around the Baltic Sea An information system for citizens on the labour markets around the Baltic Sea A joint effort for more and better jobs and increased cooperation on labour market issues in the Baltic Sea region Making enterprises around the Baltic Sea observe the fundamental workers and trade union rights and fighting the grey economy Equal opportunities for men and women at the labour market around the Baltic Sea. Social justice is the modern answer We, the social democrats and likeminded trade unions around the Baltic Sea, see the enlargement of the European Union as a great opportunity to the citizens around the Baltic Sea. The growth and increasing employment possibilities give every citizen a greater freedom and good possibilities to form their life as each citizen wishes to. There is no doubt for us that social justice, active labour market policies and equal opportunities are important parts of the modern answer to the challenges of the open and global economy. 2

3 Active labour market policies the brand of social democrats and likeminded trade unions Active labour market policies are the brand of social democrats and likeminded trade unions. We need an active effort for decent and modern jobs, a dismantling of the barriers for the free movement of workers, a battle against the grey economy and the establishment of early warning systems for industries which need to restructure. The European social model is an important basis for implementing those proposals. The social democratic and trade union vision of an active labour market policy is about investing in people s skills and competences and securing a smooth shift for the individual citizen from one job to another and from one kind of occupation to another. A tripartite cooperation between trade unions, employers organisations and the government is an important key to a society which is both dynamic and social just. Workers competences are a stronghold in a global economy if the competences are up-held and developed via cooperation between companies, trade unions and government. This requires investments in education, lifelong learning, further vocational training, and advising possibilities when restructuring takes place between companies and jobs due to international competition. The Joint Baltic Sea Group supports the proposal of the European Trade Union Confederation to establish an EU-wide supportive legal framework. This should set a framework for the free movement of services and the free movement of workers. Most important is a set of minimum standards, clear principles for equal treatment in wages and working conditions built on the standards to the country where the work is done, respect for the industrial relations systems in the host country and the liability of principal contractors for cross border monitoring of the enforcement of working conditions and standards. Grey economy and criminality linked to the free movement of workers is a reality and it is a serious violation of the human rights of those workers, children and women who are the victims. The exploitation of trafficked workers at the labour market is often linked to an extremely complex network of sub-contractors. We must strengthen our joint efforts to fight this situation. There is a general need for better cooperation between the social partners, authorities and police in upholding the regulatory framework for working conditions. A way forward is to develop a system of monitoring best practices amongst the European and Baltic Sea countries in relation to initiatives taken to tackle trafficking of workers and unfair competition via subcontracting. Trafficking is a result of poverty. The fight against trafficking and prostitution is therefore also about combating poverty. But poverty can never be the excuse for allowing the trafficking of workers into working conditions comparable to slavery or women and children into a life in prostitution and the sex-industry. The right to free competition and free mobility of services are no grounds for undermining the workers' basic rights. The freedom of the association and right to organise and collective bargaining including the right to strike are fundamental principles and rights at work. The ILO Declaration on fundamental principles and rights at work (1998) declares that all ILO Members, even if they have not ratified the Conventions recognized as fundamental, have an obligation to respect, to promote and to realize, the principles concerning the fundamental rights, namely among others freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining. To 3

4 respect these principles and rights at work is to generate a fair distribution of income in a market economy and thereby ensure sustainable welfare. The World Bank has put it this way: "Ensuring the freedom of association and collective bargaining can go a long way toward promoting labour market efficiency and better economic performance. Social dumping cannot be accepted. Thus we do not accept competition where one would compete with lower wages, or working conditions or low standards of occupational health and safety. If social dumping would occur and if workers would start a wage competition process downwards this - on broader scale - would lead to a general fall in consumption and downward circle for both the economy and the welfare. We are all benefiting from industrial restructuring, since it creates a welfare society for more people in the long run but the rapid restructuring development also has adverse effects. According to the Report of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization, Governments in coordination with social partners, need to manage the globalization. This is true especially as concerns relocation of production, closures and substantially downsizing. The mechanisms on how to be aware of the future changes and needed counteractions has to be strengthened in order to protect people from insecurity. These mechanisms have to be based on early warnings. Information as early as possible of future threats is important, in order for the involved parties to be able to manage the situation better. We have set out our task to develop an early warning system for companies in the Baltic Sea region which give the employees a tool to predict changes in their working conditions. Cooperate social responsibility can be an important tool in time of restructuring as instrument for companies restructuring and relocating in the Baltic Sea Region. It provides enterprises with a wide-ranging instrument for gaining the benefits offered by activities related to the economy, environment and social context. Corporate social responsibility calls for a deeper involvement than just meeting legislative requirements. It is also about more inputs in personnel resources, the environment, and stakeholder relations. For The Joint Baltic Sea Group it is obvious that a genuine Corporate Social Responsibility should be established in full respect of the standards for multinational companies and for the rights at the labour market set by the OECD and by the ILO conventions. The public sector friend not foe for modern Europeans A modern welfare society is a mixture between a strong welfare sector, an active labour market and economic growth within an open, international economy. The social democratic and trade union view is that solidarity, equal opportunities and investment in people is the core of a modern and dynamic society. Equal opportunities are only possible if there is a balance between the obligations and responsibilities of the society and the rights and responsibilities of each individual citizen. General and tax financed welfare societies secure justice and equal opportunities for all citizens no matter the size of their wallet, and the Nordic experience is that citizens are prepared to contribute by taxes to a just and mainly public welfare society if they experience an effective and equally distributed welfare service. Progressive taxation and social transfers provide stability for the individual citizen and thereby for the society as such when there is strong insurance against drastic loss of income. It is worth noting in this context that the creation of the basis of the modern welfare state - at least in part and at a 4

5 quite low financial level - was a response to the first round of globalisation before the Word War I in Social research has since shown that universal welfare systems are better at combating poverty. It is decisive that the public sector has a strong role in a welfare society. The consequence of globalisation is increased fluctuations in the world markets and most companies experience rapid changes in their comparative advantages. This more insecure situation leads to a need to insure social risks and more demand for social protection. Welfare built mainly on private insurance or in relation to the role as employee in a specific company is therefore more vulnerable than public based welfare in a time of globalisation. While developing new methods and ways for the welfare services we should be aware of the danger of getting into vicious circles which promote a market- and buyers oriented culture. As shown by the example of the health market in the USA such a development will be expensive for the society. It would further be on the expense of the weakest in society and it will make the individual citizens possibilities for welfare services dependent on the job, the size of the bank account and the choice of insurance company by the individual citizen. Changes and developments in the organization of welfare services shall not be a mere question of privatizations on the contrary new methods should be a way to develop and reform public service provision. An important tool is a stronger interaction between management, employees and users of the welfare institutions. Users should also be involved via representative associations for users or via direct involvement of the users in the boards of the different institutions. It is a task of the management to ensure a good cooperation with the employees, their organizations and the public. Lifelong learning, research and development Public investment for a global future Public and private investment in research, innovation and life long learning are therefore important elements in a strategy for jobs and growth in an open, global and knowledge based economy. The Baltic Sea states will also benefit from a joint international profile as a region where employees take active part in innovation. The human capital can be a unique stronghold for the Baltic Sea region through development of workers competences and investments in the possibilities for lifelong learning. The trade union movement has an important role to play in this aspect. The Joint Baltic Sea Group recommends that this strategic cooperation between the Nordic countries and the Baltic states and Northwest Russia is developed further in the coming years. Participation of Poland and Germany may also be of strategic importance in the further development of the Baltic Sea region as a region profiled by the priority of research and innovation and the development of human capital. 5

6 The Baltic Sea - A European Region The European Structural Funds are important instruments in the efforts to develop the Baltic Sea Region as a leading European region built on a modern, dynamic economy, more and better jobs and innovation of global significance. The task of the funds in the coming period, , is to i.a. support the European Employment Strategy and promote social inclusion. They will be instrumental in boosting employment, development of the labour market and working life, work organisations and social innovations. Thereby the funds will continue as significant contributors of the developing of the new member states in the enlarged European Union. It is important in this context that the European Social Fund is used in full compliance with article 146 of the treaty outlining the aim of improvement of the employment possibilities of the labour force especially through education. The funds should not be used as a source of funding for industrial policy initiatives which the member states would implement under all circumstances. The structural fund activities are based on partnership and within the ESF means first of all tripartite cooperation. The monitoring committees of the structural fund-programs are tripartite and have quite strong influence concerning the directing of the implementation and monitoring of the programs. ESF is the only fund which has a tripartite committee under the European Commission s comitology, mentioned in the proposal for the Treaty. With the EU enlargement, social dialogue and respect for the collective agreements as part of wellfunctioning labour market have become even more important in the Baltic Sea Region. 5 concrete proposals for a Baltic Sea region with decent and modern jobs A guarantee for jobs and education for all young people under 25 years of age around the Baltic Sea Today the unemployment for young people under 25 years is a common problem for all countries around the Baltic Sea. We propose that the answer to this problem is a guarantee for either job or education for all young people under 25 years around the Baltic Sea. Such a guarantee should take its ground of departure in the institutional and economical possibilities in each country but it in general forms should be a joint strategy for all Baltic Sea countries. An active labour market policy will create the jobs while the youth guarantee will ensure a distribution of the jobs for young people. The Joint Baltic Sea Group recommends the Social Democratic parties and likeminded trade unions in the Baltic Sea region to act in order to establish youth society guarantee systems in every country in the region. The concrete contents of the youth society guarantee could be: - Fast screening of the needs of the young unemployed - Job application plan about the service that the youth society guarantee might offer - The youth could receive service not only focussing on employment but also multi professional services. 6

7 The prevention of social exclusion among young people is especially important. It is widely held that higher qualifications are reliable protectors against unemployment while low or lacking qualifications make individuals vulnerable for risks of social exclusion. The prevention of social exclusion involves also the authorities of social affairs especially on issues like preventing misuse of drugs and other possible threats and problems of the young people. The Joint Baltic Sea Group recommends a special conference to be held on the young people s situation and youth unemployment. The conference could concentrate on the prevention of the social exclusion of young people. An information system for citizens on the labour markets around the Baltic Sea Information is crucial for citizens who consider working in another country. There already are several information systems which might be used more by the citizens. Cross border activities of companies in the Baltic Sea region have grown since the beginning of the 1990 s where Nordic and German companies invested in The Baltic states and Poland. A further growth is expected in the coming year and there is already an increase of companies from the Baltic States and Poland which are active in the Nordic countries and Germany. Since the enlargement of the European Union there is a growing interest for workers to work in other Baltic Sea countries than their country of origin. At the same time the Baltic states and Poland experience an influx of workers from Russia, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. The question of information about labour markets may therefore be an increasing issue in the years to come in a larger regional context. The information office on Finnish working life in Tallinn, Estonia is an important example of possible measures in order to make information on labour markets easily accessible for the relevant persons, companies and institutions. The Joint Baltic Sea Group therefore proposes a number of initiatives to be taken into account in the coming years. The Joints Baltic Sea Group proposes that The Baltic Sea States could in a three-partite-context hold a conference on the needs and possibilities for labour market information for relevant authorities, companies and workers in the Baltic Sea area. Other initiatives proposed are establishment of Info-points in all countries around the Baltic Sea, increased cooperation between embassies and other structures and better cooperation on supervising labour market laws in the region. A joint effort for more and better jobs and increased cooperation on labour market issues in the Baltic Sea region The Joint Baltic Sea Group recommends that a constant work is done in order to develop labour market issues and tripartite cooperation as part of the cooperation methods with the Northern Dimension. The Joint Baltic Sea Group therefore supports the proposals set forward by The Baltic Sea Trade Union Network, BASTUN. 7

8 The free movement of labour between the Baltic Sea EU Member States is a reality. This calls for better coordination of employment strategies of the countries. Employment policy belongs to affairs which are under national sovereignty in EU although the employment policies of the Member States are coordinated by the renewed Lisbon process. The Baltic Sea states should not only see the further development of the employment strategies, which will be part of the reform programmes, as an exclusively national task. The employment strategies could a strategic basis for an increased cooperation in the labour market agenda between the Baltic Sea states. Such a regional cooperation component could be realised via a dialogue within the Council of Baltic Sea States or in other forms of cooperation between the countries in the Baltic Sea region. We believe that such a regional cooperation on the employment issues related to the Lisbon Process could be deepened step by step. A first concrete step could be a joint discussion on the development of the national reform strategies, including a youth guarantee. We further believe that the results of such regional joint activities can be taken into account by the other Member States of the European Union as well. Making enterprises around the Baltic Sea observe the fundamental workers and trade union rights and fighting the grey economy The need for more jobs in the Baltic Sea Region is not only a question of more jobs but of better jobs. The vision of the Baltic Sea Region as a leading economic region of Europe includes the vision that the jobs in the region should be both decent and modern jobs where workers can earn a living as required in a modern society and at the same time contribute to the development of business and companies, i.e. through the right to develop and educate themselves (life long learning, etc.). The vision of decent and modern jobs both include the observation of the fundamental workers and trade union rights as they are prescribed by the OECD and the ILO and the collective agreements in the region. A modern and dynamic economy requires stability in the industrial relations and in the conditions for both companies and workers. A well organised labour market with strong collective agreements provides such a framework. Those efforts are also important in relation to the kind of jobs we want in the Baltic Sea Region. We are further convinced that the vision of the Baltic Sea Region as a leading economic region of Europe is closely linked to the development of decent and modern jobs, because a modern and dynamic economy is dependent on a committed and qualified labour force. Decent and modern jobs, lifelong learning, the health and safety at the work and workplace and the quality of work and employment relationship are crucial to us. Not only because of the need for improving the quality of work but also because it is a comparative advantage for the Baltic Sea Region in a dynamic and global economy. 8

9 In the battle against the grey economy we underline the importance of supervising the conditions of work. We think there should be mechanisms and instruments including liability of principal contractors. The enterprises should form together with their workers a good corporate social responsibility policy both at home and abroad. The enterprises must act as good corporate citizens. An integral part of good corporate citizenship builds on the core labour standards. International standards of the CSR are presecribed among others in the ILO convention no. 94 on Labour Clauses in Public Contracts. A strong effort against trafficking of human beings is needed. The close international cooperation between police forces should be developed further, also at the Baltic Sea level, in order to find the routes of trafficking to the Baltic Sea Region and to put the responsible to justice. A specific effort is needed in relation to the children and women who are victims of trafficking in the sex-industry and for prostitution. Possibilities for temporarily residence permits should be developed for those victims and the possibilities for rehabilitation should be developed and extended. Equal opportunities for men and women at the labour market around the Baltic Sea Equal opportunities for men and women are the very basis and fundamental principles for the Social Democratic labour movement. This selfevidently includes women s rights and possibilities to join the labour market as well as men. This means women s right to earn their own living and develop themselves. Equal opportunities and equal rights also include equal pay for equal work, equal opportunities for full time jobs and equal opportunities for further education. Paternity and maternity leaves and possibilities for childcare are further prerequisites for equal opportunities for men and women at the labour market. The Joint Baltic Sea Group therefore proposes that the social democratic parties and likeminded trade unions around the Baltic Sea increase the cooperation on those issues. There should be an increased cooperation amongst the parties and trade unions concerning the issues of equal rights and opportunities. Exchange of proposals and experiences on developing policies in this field will be very valuable in the years to come. It is further important to focus on the unjust differences in pay for men and women. Concrete tools are necessary to change this situation. The Joint Baltic Sea Group therefore recommends that it should be obligatory for companies to make wage statistics according to gender accessible for all employees and the public. The Baltic Sea states should further cooperate in making company based wage statistics according to gender obligatory for all companies in the European Union. 9