Ext. 2731 - European University Institute

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The Chairman, Ernest Glinne, opened the meeting by welcoming the delegates. He thanked the Commissioners and Messrs. Hinterscheid and Coldrick for the valuable documents they had contributed. Rudi Adams introduced the Socialist Group's document (PE/GS/155/77/rev. He explained that the Group, following a proposal of the Chairman, ludwig Fellermaier, had decided to study in depth the problem of unemployment and possible measures to combat it at both Community and national level. The Group hoped to be able to establish some points which it could propose in Parliament as initiatives to combat unemployment. The Group'S document was seen as a basis for joint discussion. The present meeting was to be the first such joint meeting. Outlining the document, Adams stressed - the need for industrial restruction and coordination of decisions concerning investment which must invol.ve overall social criteria; - the need for a more effective regional policy; - that there must be specific employment policy measures; there must be more coordination by Member States of their economic policie - growth, which is essential to create jobs, must, however, be qualitive; - in any discussion on international trade - which must remain open - there must be full participation by the trade unions to ensure that any burdens imposed will not be mainly on the workers. He then listed the specific proposals in the Group's document, referring in particular to the problem of youth unemployment. He drew attention to an amendment to the Group's document concerning the need for special measures to combat the unemployment of women. The Group also favoured the strengthening of the instruments available - Social Fund, Regional rund and their better coordination, and the reduction of working hours. Adams concluded by stressing that no solution would be possible without full participation by the worker in economic decision-making. Peter Coldrick introduced the ETUC's document, which he pointed out was not an official paper of the ETUC, but reflected its positions. He outlined the document, selecting some points for emphasis - that it was now time for reflation which, however, must be internationally coordinated to avoid the dangers of unspecific reflationary action; - while inflation must be controlled, it should be done primarily through price policy and stronger competition policy, rather than incomes policy and high unemployment; the burden of balance of payments deficits must be shared - since it is impossible for everyone to be in surplus all the time. Nor does the ETUC believe that deficits are necessarily inflationary; ... / .. - 3 - PE/GS/204/77
- the need for economic and industrial planning must continually be underlined. Here the ETUC agrees completely with the Socialist Group's call for the expansion of the system of joint sectoral committees; - the existence of multinationals means that a free market no longer exist the ETUC wants to see legal instruments adopted setting out the responsibilities of the multinationals; - however it is the public sector which must be stimulated; - active labour market policies must be pursued; - the fTUC also shares the Socialist Group's anxiety concerning young and female unemployment; It will continue to protect the living and working conditions of workers and pursue its campaign for a reduction of working hours. The ETUC felt that few governments had taken the preparations for the 1977 Tripartite Conference seriously. However it had resulted in the Commissio undertaking to study and report back on issues relating to employment creation which the ETUC believes will imply Community involvement in economic and industrial planning activities. The ETUC also welcomed the decisions arising from the Tripartite Conference that national growth investment and employment policies should be reviewed at Community level, and that work-sharing and the role of employment creation in the tertiary sector should be studied. Finally, the ETUC recognised that there was no real alternative to action at Community level. Vredeling presented a paper which represented his own opinion, as a member of the P.v.d.A. Summarising his paper, he pointed out that increased public sector activity involved the tax payers money which would reduce incomes and profits, thereby reducing investment and employment. He further pointed out the difficulties involved in reducing working hours and that participation in decision-making, though essential, did not necessarily mean that investment would be sufficient or properly directed. He believed a programme for full employment must contain the following elements : - moderation of incomes. on conditions that workers shared in profits. which would be re-invested, and that incomes were more evenly distribute - improvement in working conditlons, includlng a reduction of working hours; - selective investment policy. Such a programme would be impossible, except on a Community basis . - 4 - . . . / .. PE/GS/204/77
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